Mike Tyson has revealed that diet was the reason he pulled out of his first fight with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. The 58-year-old boxing legend was scheduled to face “The Problem Child” in July, but a recurrence of a peptic ulcer forced him to withdraw from the match.
He had to stop training on doctor’s advice, but is now back in the gym and insists he will be ready to fight the 27-year-old next month.
The controversial clash between the two stars is scheduled for November 15 at the AT&T Arena in Arlington, Texas, in front of a potential crowd of 90,000. The fight will be considered a professional heavyweight fight.
Since the fight’s rescheduling, there has been widespread criticism within the boxing community of the decision to proceed with the match amid concerns about Tyson’s health.
During a recent conversation with Online mail“Iron Mike” revealed that he is now “ulcer-free,” attributing his previous health problems to his diet. “I ate too much bad food and stuff, and I got ill,” he admitted. However, Tyson has now vowed to avoid “processed foods” and follow “immaculate eating” principles ahead of his upcoming fight with the youthful American.
The discussion about the potential impact of the upcoming fight on his historical legacy showed a clear lack of concern for outside opinions. “I didn’t take this fight for the legacy,” he declared. “I think legacy is really, from my point of view, legacy is ego. Who cares what people think of them when they’re gone? I’m dead. I can’t appreciate what anyone might think of me when I’m dead, so it means nothing to me.
Now that he has gotten rid of his ulcers and is following a immaculate diet, Tyson seems ready to fight against the internet superstar. Still, some supporters remain skeptical about his involvement in the fight against Paul. The boxing icon, 58, told Jimmy Kimmel that his training program is intense and lasts six hours a day.
“I train extremely demanding, I practice six hours a day. I start at 11 a.m. and can leave the gym at 5 p.m.,” Tyson confirmed. Hearing this, a stunned Kimmel asked, “11:00? So it’s six hours straight, is there a break for lunch?”
Tyson agreed to a tiny break from his schedule, prompting Kimmel to gasp, “Oh no.” Elsewhere in the conversation, when asked if he planned to get high before meeting Paul, Tyson replied: “I’ll be high in my life, yes.” When Kimmel pushed for marijuana exploit, Tyson admitted, “That’s a possibility, too,” leading the host to joke, “My bet is getting smaller as we talk.”
Tyson hasn’t stepped into a professional ring for almost two decades. His last fight was against Kevin McBride in 2005, where he lost in the fifth round.
Paul, a boxing sensation, made his debut in 2020 and has been competing regularly since then. With a record of 10-1, the American’s only defeat was a fight against Tommy Fury last year. “The Problem Child” will face “Iron Mike” after his victory over former UFC fighter Mike Perry in July.