The summertime bout between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul that had social media abuzz and the boxing community chattering is on hold – for now.
In a release Friday evening, Most Valuable Promotions said both parties had agreed to postpone the fight to allow Tyson time to recover from an ulcer flare-up he suffered last weekend during a flight from Miami to Los Angeles.
In an earlier story Friday, USA TODAY Sports reported that several gastroenterologists - none of whom have treated Tyson or were familiar with his case - expressed concern about Tyson continuing the rigors of training for the sanctioned bout while dealing with the medical condition. One went so far as to say Tyson should postpone the fight.
Rama Behara, a gastroenterologist in Texas who said he has treated college and professional athletes with ulcers, told USA TODAY Sports he likely would recommend Tyson stop training for a minimum of three weeks.
"It’s hard sometimes to convince (athletes) to take that time off in when they’re in the middle of a heavy training,'' said Behara, who works at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Centennial in Frisco, Texas. "But overall we usually want to play the conservative route of at least a few weeks depending on the severity (of the ulcer).''
What does this mean? Here's what you need to know:
The bout, sanctioned as a pro fight and scheduled for eight rounds, was scheduled for July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Most Valuable Promotions said in its release that the new date would be announced no later than Friday, June 7.
in videotaped remarks posted on his X account, Paul said, "Mike, if you want to do this like you said behind closed doors, behind the scenes, you’ve said you want to do this in Q4, you just need a little time, so I’m ready whenever you are."
Q4 refers to the fourth quarter of the year, typically from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31.
Tyson, 57, suffered an "ulcer flare-up" in the final 30 minutes of the flight from Miami to Los Angeles on Sunday. His team said in a release Monday that he endured nausea and dizziness. An ambulance met the plane upon landing, according to American Airlines. Tyson was vomiting, weak and dizzy and transported to a hospital, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Tyson said medical professionals advised him to "lighten my training for a few weeks to rest and recover," prompting the postponement.
On Tuesday, less than 48 hours after the medical emergency, Tyson posted this message to his social media accounts: "Now feeling 100% even though I don’t need to be to beat Jake Paul."
Tyson's representatives did not respond to an email from USA TODAY Sports seeking details about the type of ulcer Tyson has, when he was diagnosed with the ulcer or whether it could complicate his preparation.
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.”
It's unclear at this time what the promoter, Jake Paul and his camp and Netflix, which is streaming the bout, would do if Tyson had to pull out of the bout completely.
The rules include two-minute rounds and 14-ounce gloves for a sanctioned pro bout scheduled for eight rounds. The shorter rounds are believed to favor Tyson, who is 57. The lighter gloves would favor Paul.
Because it is a sanctioned pro fight, the outcome will count toward their records. Tyson is 50-6 with 44 knockouts and Paul is 9-1 with six knockouts.
The scheduled undercard includes: Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano (super lightweight); Ashton Sylve vs. Floyd Schofield (lightweight); Neeraj Goyat vs. Whindersson Nunes (middle heavyweight); and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Darren Till (light heavyweight).
Contributing: Cydney Henderson