Jake Paul and his team at Most Valuable Promotions weren’t made aware of the severity of Mike Tyson’s health issues prior to their fight on Nov. 15, according to his business partner, Nakisa Bidarian.
After the 27-year-old Paul’s unanimous decision victory over Tyson, 58, at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, the former heavyweight champ shared that he almost died in June in a message on social media.
During a Thursday appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Bidarian, who co-founded MVP with Paul in 2021, said they were informed Tyson was “100 percent able to compete” in their fight when asked about that admission.
“That sentiment that was shared by him on that post, was never shared with us,” Bidarian said. “We have the doctor’s reports, we have the conversations with the doctors, that was never something we thought about that he was close to losing his life for whatever it was he said in the post.
“I appreciate there was a lot of emotion leading up to that event and I appreciate him the next day reflecting on what he went through, but I can unequivocally say every single report we had from his team, every conversation we had with his doctors were nothing other than ‘he’s 100 percent going to be able to compete, starting at the end of August, early September.’”
Tyson, who dealt with a number of health issues leading up to the fight, looked slow and was gassed in the ring with Paul.
The highly anticipated showdown was initially scheduled to take place on July 20, but Tyson suffered an ulcer flare-up, which forced them to postpone the fight.
After the fight, Tyson explained he was grateful to have gone eight rounds with Paul due to the status of his health.
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“This is one of those situations when you lost but still won,” he wrote on X. “I’m grateful for (Friday) night. No regrets to get in ring one last time. I 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. 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. Thank you.”
Tyson said he isn’t sure if he’s finished with the sport of boxing.
“It depends on the situation,” he said after the fight.
Tyson came out of retirement to fight Paul on Friday, after nearly 20 years.
He previously suffered a loss to Kevin McBride in 2005, and then retired from the sport with a record of 50-6.