As permissive as the Texas commission has been on licensing Paul vs. Tyson, there could still be issues if Tyson doesn’t pass his physical with flying colors.
We’re just four days away from the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul boxing match at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (Fri. Nov. 15, 2024) and both men have made it to fight week healthy and ready to compete.
That was a big question for Tyson, who was forced to pull out of an earlier July date with Paul due to an ulcer that he admits almost killed him.
“When I came to, I was in the bathroom throwing up blood,” Tyson revealed in a recent interview. “I lost 25 pounds in eleven days and couldn’t eat. Only liquids. Every time I went to the bathroom, it smelled like tar. Didn’t even smell like s—t anymore. It was disgusting … I had like eight blood transfusions. The doctor said I lost half my blood. I almost died.”
There’s been no near-death experiences during this November camp, unless Tyson is still licking the toad on his days off training. But it certainly makes you wonder whether it’s smart to sanction this 58 year old man to fight. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation is notoriously loose when it comes to everything but marijuana, and according to ESPN they approved the fight after officials watched a Tyson sparring session.
In person? On Instagram? Tik Tok? It’s unclear.
“Our combative sports staff evaluate numerous factors to determine if an event can be held in a manner that is both safe for both contestants and in compliance with Department laws and rules,” said TDLR spokesperson Tela Mange. “[The commission] will conduct the usual prefight physicals the day before the fight.”
That will include but may not be limited to a mandatory EEG (electroencephalography) and EKG (electrocardiogram) — in other words, a brain and heart scan.
As for Tyson’s concerning comments about almost dying a few months ago? They’ll ask about it.
“Thorough pre-fight physicals will be conducted by TDLR-appointed physicians, who will discuss Mr. Tyson’s medical history with him,” Mange said.
Waiting until the day before the fight to do all of this is pretty crazy, but this whole fight is pretty crazy when you think about it. The age difference, the experience difference, the near death incident. Jesus. That’s why it’s happening in Texas and not somewhere like New York, where it would have been rejected outright by the no fun NYSAC.
But as chill as the TDLR is, there’s no coming back from an iffy EEG or EKG reading. We’ll let you know on Thursday how those go.