The highly anticipated Jake Paul and Mike Tyson fight that was due to take place this summer has been pushed back to later this year.
The former undisputed heavyweight boxing champion suffered a medical emergency during a flight from Miami to Los Angeles this week, with his team later revealing it was an ulcer flare up. And despite claiming to be feeling 100 per cent, doctors have advised him against training for a few weeks.
Paul had come in for criticism over choosing to fight Tyson in the first place given the boxer’s advanced age. And one UFC legend has mocked the YouTube star after the bout was postponed, saying it “serves him right” for organising the event at all.
Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson postponed until Q4 of this year after medical emergency
Last night Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions released a lengthy statement in which they detailed why Tyson had decided to push their July 20 date back. It was noted that he felt in top shape, but was warned to take a brief break from fight camp due to an ulcer flare up.
The medical issue was first reported by In Touch Weekly, with eye witnesses claiming the boxing icon was dealt with by paramedics on board a flight from Miami to Los Angeles. Shortly after the story broke, Tyson tweeted: “Now feeling 100 per cent even though I don’t need to be to beat Jake Paul.”
In the press release yesterday, Most Valuable Promotions said: “During a follow up consultation on Thursday with medical professionals on his recent ulcer flare up, the recommendation is for Mike Tyson to do minimal to light training over the next few weeks and then return to full training with no limitations.
“Both Mike and Jake are in agreement that it is only fair to ensure that both athletes have equal training time to prepare for this important match and are able to compete at the highest level.
“The health and well-being of athletes is our top priority, and we fully support Mike in taking the necessary time to allow him to perform at the level he expects of himself.
“Mike is expected to return to his full training schedule in the coming weeks and is eager to get back in the ring. MVP anticipates rescheduling the match to later this year at AT&T Stadium, and we look forward to an exciting and well-prepared contest between these two exceptional athletes.”
Michael Bisping mocks Jake Paul as Mike Tyson fight is delayed
The Paul and Tyson fight had drawn criticism across the sporting world for being an exploitative spectacle. A key point that was noted by many was that the boxing legend will turn 58 during his fight camp.
And one outspoken critic has been Michael Bisping, the legendary former UFC middleweight champion. In a new video on his YouTube channel last night, he mocked Paul for pursuing the bout at all, telling him the postponement “serves you right”.
Responding to a video posted by Paul, Bisping said: “Speechless? You’ve made a minute long video about it. Gutted, devastated? Yeah of course you are, you got to go out and get the opportunity to beat up an old guy who is a legend.
“That would be another one on the long list of legends past their best… You ripped the opportunity because you chose to fight an old man. I said this earlier when people get old things go wrong, you have all kinds of health problems.
“You have high blood pressure, you have sciatica, you have ulcers, arthritis, you name it. It happens when you get older and you should apologise to all these people on the fight card, you should pay all their fight purses; Darren Till and all the people that are on there training hard that’s all been for nothing.”