The upcoming boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson on July 20 has been postponed.
Tyson experienced a health issue on a flight from Los Angeles to Miami that required medical attention Sunday. Initially, it didn’t appear that it would affect the fight, but that has changed after Tyson’s most recent health checkup.
“During a follow up consultation on Thursday with medical professionals on his recent ulcer flare up, the recommendation is for Mike Tyson to do minimal to light training over the next few weeks and then return to full training with no limitations,” read an official statement.
A new fight date is expected to be announced June 7, and AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, remains the desired location.
“I want to thank my fans around the world for their support and understanding during this time. Unfortunately, due to my ulcer flareup, I have been advised by my doctor to lighten my training for a few weeks to rest and recover,” Tyson said in a statement. “My body is in better overall shape than it has been since the 1990s and I will be back to my full training schedule soon. Jake Paul, this may have bought you some time, but in the end you will still be knocked out and out of boxing for good. I appreciate everyone’s patience and can’t wait to deliver an unforgettable performance later this year.”
Tyson vs. Paul was sanctioned as a professional bout scheduled for eight two-minute rounds and contested at heavyweight with 14-ounce gloves. Tyson, 57, hasn’t won a professional boxing match since 2003. If and when they step into the ring, the fight will feature the largest age gap in professional boxing history with Tyson turning 58 on June 30 and YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul being 27.
The fight was to be livestreamed on Netflix.
“I fully support postponing the event so Mike Tyson has no excuses come fight night,” Paul said in a statement. “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 vs. Tyson will be one for the ages, and I promise to bring my best for this once-in-a-lifetime matchup.
Shakur Stevenson is a free agent; what does his future look like?
- Shakur Stevenson captured Olympic silver at the 2016 Games in Rio De Janeiro and, eight months later, made his pro debut with Top Rank.
Bob Arum, Top Rank’s founder and CEO, signed Stevenson as a 19-year-old, the only promoter the champion has ever worked with. Seven years later, their relationship is bound to change following Stevenson’s successful WBC lightweight title defense vs. Artem Harutyunyan on Saturday.
Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) was dominant — he was a -3,500 favorite, per ESPN BET — but failed to deliver the thrilling victory he sought. There were boos down the stretch as Stevenson cruised to a unanimous decision victory against an overmatched opponent for the second consecutive fight. This time, the boos were from his hometown fans at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Stevenson, 27, said the jeers were aimed at Harutyunyan (12-2, 7 KOs) because “he ain’t really try to make the fight.” And while it’s true that neither Harutyunyan nor Edwin De Los Santos — Stevenson’s last opponent in November — truly pressed the action, the onus was on the supremely gifted Stevenson to find a way to finish his opponent.
Now, Stevenson will test free agency on the heels of an uneventful victory, not the statement-making performance he needed.
- Stevenson turned down a five-fight extension with Top Rank, sources told ESPN, that would have guaranteed the boxer $3 million per bout.
He could sign with a rival promoter — PBC, Matchroom, Golden Boy, etc. — or remain a free agent and enjoy the flexibility that brings fighters such as Devin Haney or his mentor, Terence Crawford.
“I want to honestly start my own promotional company and just work with promoters and do a lot of short-term things so that way I’m not locked in and stuck to somebody,” Stevenson told ESPN on June 30.
Stevenson lamented that he didn’t score the KO, and while he blamed Harutyunyan, he also looked inward. The champion said he needed to improve his ability to cut off the ring.
Outside the ring, Stevenson will navigate uncharted waters. Eddie Hearn, chairman of Matchroom Sport, has publicly expressed interest in a deal with Stevenson. Surely, many other promoters will pursue Stevenson, too. He is, after all, an undefeated champion rated No. 8 by ESPN pound for pound.
Now, it appears Stevenson is ready for a change.
Going into Saturday’s fight, Stevenson felt Top Rank didn’t do enough to promote his fight with Harutyunyan because he turned down the extension.
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