The highly anticipated boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul has been postponed.
On Friday, Most Valuable Promotions announced that the bout originally scheduled for July 20 will be delayed after Tyson received medical attention for an ulcer flare-up on Sunday. Tyson said medical professionals advised him to ‘lighten my training for a few weeks to rest and recover,’ prompting the postponement.
‘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,’ Most Valuable Promotions said in a statement shared with USA TODAY Sports on Friday. ‘We fully support Mike in taking the necessary time to allow him to perform at the level he expects of himself.’
The boxing match will still be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, but it will be rescheduled for later this year, Most Valuable Promotions said. The official date will be released next week.
MIKE TYSON said he feels ‘100%’ after receiving medical care for ‘ulcer flare-up’
Tyson, 57, received medical attention on Sunday after he started experiencing dizziness and nausea on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles before the plane landed, his representatives told USA TODAY Sports.
American Airlines, the carrier, issued a statement saying first responders met the plane when it landed. Tyson was vomiting, weak and dizzy and transported to a local hospital, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Although Tyson later said in a social media post that he felt 100% on Tuesday, the boxing legend said he’s been advised to take some time off from his intense training.
“I want to thank my fans around the world for their support and understanding during this time,’ Tyson said in a statement on Friday. “My body is in better overall shape than it has been since the 1990s and I will be back to my full training schedule soon.’
Paul said he’s ‘fully’ on board with the delay ‘so Mike Tyson has no excuses come fight night.’
“My fans know I don’t want to face Iron Mike at anything but his best, but let there be no mistake – when he steps into the ring with me, I will be ready to claim my W with a sensational finish,’ Paul added in a statement. ‘Paul vs Tyson will be one for the ages, and I promise to bring my best for this once-in-a-lifetime matchup.”