Representatives for Mike Tyson shared an update on his health after the former world heavyweight champion suffered a medical emergency during a flight from Miami to Los Angeles on Sunday.
In a statement to The Athletic, the 57-year-old’s representatives said he’s now “doing great.” “He became nauseous and dizzy due to an ulcer flare-up 30 minutes before landing,” the statement said. “He is appreciative to the medical staff that were there to help him.”
Tyson’s medical emergency on the plane was initially reported by In Touch Weekly. “Mike had some kind of medical emergency on the plane and paramedics boarded,” an eyewitness told the news outlet. “Before the paramedics arrived the flight issued an announcement asking for a doctor — the message even came on everyone’s screens.”
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Tyson ultimately received medical care from paramedics who later boarded the plane. The flight in question was initially delayed for two hours before takeoff, and the rumors were that the hold-up was a result of Tyson’s medical emergency.
But Tyson’s representatives in the statement to The Athletic labeled the rumor as “false reporting” and explained the delay stemmed from a problem with the aircraft’s air conditioning.
Tyson’s medical emergency comes as he prepares for his July 20 fight with YouTuber cum boxer Jake Paul. As previously reported by Face2Face Africa, the fight, which will take place in Texas, has also been officially sanctioned as a professional bout.
According to BBC, this means that the results of the fight will subsequently reflect on their records. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation said it sanctioned the fight as a professional one with “certain waivers” after it reviewed records and the medical history of both Tyson and Paul. The agency manages combat sports in the state.
“The safety of the contestants competing in the ring or the octagon is always the primary concern,” the TDLR said. The fight, however, has some conditions. It cannot go beyond eight rounds and two minutes per round. Tyson and Paul are also required to wear 14oz gloves instead of 10oz.
Tyson’s professional career ended in 2005 and he has not fought since he and Roy Jones Jr. met in a 2020 exhibition that ended in a draw. Paul has won nine of his 10 boxing fights, usually against ex-UFC fighters. His only defeat was when he came against British heavyweight Tommy Fury in February last year, according to BBC.
