Mike Tyson, at 59, has faced numerous health challenges in recent years, raising concerns about his well-being, especially in the context of his return to boxing. While Tyson has demonstrated resilience and determination, medical experts and boxing professionals have voiced apprehensions regarding the risks he faces.
Concerns Over Tyson's Health
Concerns over Mike Tyson's health will surely be raised ahead of his controversial fights. While there are risks anytime a boxer steps into the ring, experts have weighed in on how Tyson's age might play a factor in the fight.
Stephen Hughes, a senior lecturer of medicine at Anglia Riskin University in England, was one of the first to raise the issue. Citing Tyson’s age and past alcohol abuse as risk factors, Hughes in May wrote in an article published by "The Conversation" that head trauma would put the boxer at greater risk of suffering a subdural hematoma, which is potentially fatal.
A subdural hematoma occurs "when a blood vessel near the surface of the brain bursts," according to Harvard Health, which also reports a subdural hematoma is a "life-threatening problem because it can compress the brain."
In addressing additional risks for Tyson, Hughes referred to the late Muhammad Ali. The legendary boxer for many years suffered from Parkinson’s disease, widely believed to have been linked to head trauma Ali suffered during his celebrated career.
Read also: Mike Tyson vs. Brock Lesnar?
“In some instances, a condition resembling Parkinson’s disease may result from loss of neurons in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra,’’ Hughes wrote. “Muhammad Ali may have been afflicted with this, but it was never confirmed.’’
Age and Reaction Time
Damon Zavala, Vice President of the Association of Ringside Physicians, said he thinks a subdural hematoma is a risk for boxers regardless of age.
But with Tyson, Zavala said, “The issue is that his reflexes and his ability to react and get out of the way of punches has declined over the years. So while he still has his own power, he still is going to be at greater risk for getting hit due to the fact that he's not going to be able to get out of the way of punches.’’
At 58, Evander Holyfield looked chiseled when he stepped into the ring in 2021 for a fight against Vitor Belfort, a 44-year-old mixed martial arts fighter. Holyfield, the former heavyweight champion who beat Tyson twice, was knocked out in the first round.
Zavala said George Foreman talked about having slower reflexes when he came out of retirement in his mid-40s. “He says that he would think about throwing a punch, but it would take a little time for that to actually happen,’’ said Zavala, who is trained in internal medicine. “So the reflexes, both defensively and offensively, are not the same.’’
Read also: Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul
Nevertheless, Foreman won the unified world heavyweight championship in 1995 at the age of 45 when he knocked out Michael Moorer, then 26.
John Neidecker, the past president of the Association of Ringside Physicians, said he thinks concern related to Tyson’s health is muted among ringside physicians because of skepticism around the fight. He also said he views Paul as an entertainer as much as a boxer, and as a result is reluctant to address health risks.
“There's just a lot of things going on here that I think that's why a lot of people aren't really like screaming from the rooftops that this fight shouldn't happen with a 58-year-old guy,’’ he said.
Medical Testing and Regulations
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) oversees combat sports in the state, and fighters 36 or older are subject to additional medical examination. As a fighter over the age of 36, Tyson was required to submit favorable EEG and EKG results as part of his application, according to Tela Mange. He did that in May, Mange said.
The TDLR said Thursday that Tyson passed a pre-fight physical earlier in the day. In a statement, the TDLR added, "The safety of the contestants competing in the ring or the cage is always the primary concern of TDLR staff. This competition is no different."
Read also: The Legend of Iron Mike
Boxing promoter Lou DiBella fumed at the TDLR's decision to sanction a pro fight for a 58-year-old. “A regular guy has to go through hoops to get licensed to fight in a lot of states being 40 years old,’’ DiBella said. “How in the state of Texas is a 58-year-old man licensed to fight a professional prize fight?’’
At the promoter’s request, the TDLR agreed to two-minute rounds rather than the standard three-minute rounds, widely believed to be a concession to Tyson’s age. The TDLR also agreed to the use of 14-ounce gloves rather than standard 10-ounce gloves.
“It will take the sting off a little bit,’’ Nico Ali Walsh, a grandson of Muhammad Ali and a pro boxer, said of the heavier gloves. “And I believe the glove size is there just as a precaution, since Mike is older than people that are fighting professionally. He shouldn't be fighting in professionally sized gloves.
“I don't think any sanctioning body would allow the fight to happen with Mike if they were 10-ounce gloves and three-minute rounds.’’
Mike Tyson - Health Scare on Plane Explained! (Ulcer Flare Up, Jake Paul Fight Update)
Past Health Issues
But the ulcer flare-up served as evidence of health issues. Mike Tyson is sharing new details about the health complications that led to the delay of his highly anticipated fight against Jake Paul. Health issues are nothing new for Tyson in recent years.
In August 2022, he was spotted at the Miami International Airport in a wheelchair. Tyson dealt with a number of health issues leading up to the fight, including an ulcer flare-up, which forced them to postpone the fight.
“I went to the bathroom and I threw up blood," Tyson told Netflix for a documentary-style series leading up to the fight. "The next thing I know I'm on the floor.'' The source of the trauma was a 2½-inch bleeding ulcer, according to Tyson, who conducted the interview from a hospital room.
Originally, the match between Tyson and Paul was scheduled for July 20. The fight was postponed to November after Tyson experienced an “ulcer flare up” while on a flight May 26. At the time, Tyson’s representatives said in a statement that the boxer was “doing great.”
Tyson said the ulcer was two-and-a-half inches and bleeding. “I asked the doctor, ‘Am I going to die?’ And she didn’t say no, she said, ‘We have options, though,’” Tyson said. “That’s when I got nervous.”
After the hospitalization, Tyson had “to start from scratch” in his training, he told New York Magazine. “It threw me off. All my coordination, stamina, everything was hectic getting back. I was peaked already. I could have fought him that day. Now I got to start from scratch," Tyson said.
Tyson vs. Paul Fight and Aftermath
Paul emerged victorious from the Nov. 15 matchup, a face-off between the two boxers that streamed on Netflix from Arlington, Texas. Tyson spoke about his loss on X Nov. 16.
Tyson then shared that he “almost died” in June.“Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won,” he wrote.
The Nov. 15 fight went a full eight rounds and was scored by three judges who ruled unanimously for Paul. Tyson said after the match he was unsure if he's done with boxing.“I don’t think so,” he said, per NBC News. “Maybe the brother (Logan Paul).”
After the fight, Tyson wrote, “To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for.” Paul responded to the X post, writing, “Love you Mike. It was an honor. You’re an inspiration to us all.”
After the fight, Paul said in his post-match interview that he didn’t feel “Mike’s power” during the fight, adding that he went easy on Tyson during the third round. “I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn’t want to hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt,” he said.
Upcoming Fight with Floyd Mayweather
Concerns over Mike Tyson's health will surely be raised ahead of his controversial fight with Floyd Mayweather. The announcement was made that the two boxing legends will clash in 2026, although an exact date for the bout is yet to be officially confirmed. Early reports suggest the pair will meet in the spring for an exhibition match.
Tyson, who retired from boxing in 2005, made a sensational comeback to the ring in 2020, taking on Roy Jones Jr. The fight ended in a somewhat lacklustre draw, after which Tyson took a four-year break before returning last November. At 59, Tyson faced YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Despite not achieving a knockout, Paul secured a comfortable win on points.
Following confirmation of Tyson's comeback, he issued a stark warning to his 48 year old opponent that their bout next year will prove harmful to the legend's wellbeing.
Regarding his encounter with Mayweather, Tyson declared: "This fight is something neither the world nor I ever thought would or could happen. However, boxing has entered a new era of the unpredictable -- and this fight is as unpredictable as it gets. I still can't believe Floyd wants to really do this. It's going to be detrimental to his health, but he wants to do it, so it's signed and it's happening!".
Meanwhile, the former five-division world champion proclaimed: "I've been doing this for 30 years and there hasn't been a single fighter that can tarnish my legacy. You already know that if I am going to do something, it's going to be big and it's going to be legendary. I'm the best in the business of boxing.
