Mike Tyson and Jake Paul are set to fight later this month (Image: Cooper Neill/Getty Images for Netflix)

How Jake Paul reacted to Mike Tyson pulling out of boxing fight

by · Birmingham Live

Jake Paul has opened up about his disappointment following the postponement of his highly anticipated fight with Mike Tyson. The bout, which was initially scheduled for July, had to be delayed after Tyson fell ill on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles, resulting in a hospital stay where doctors discovered a significant, bleeding ulcer measuring two-and-a-half inches.

The boxing legend was advised by medical professionals to put a halt to training and consequently, the match was rescheduled to November 15. Despite this setback, a new date has been set for the event, which is now expected to draw a crowd of 80,000 fans in Texas.

Paul, who boasts an impressive record of 10 wins in 11 professional fights, expressed his frustration over the initial delay. In a Netflix documentary, he reflected on the moment he heard the news: "When I received the news that he was out and not able to fight, I was just numb, I was just like, 'f***...'," he said, adding, "I'm the type of person who likes a schedule and likes to know what I'm doing. This just threw a wrench in all of that, there was nothing I could do, it was out of my control."

Paul has voiced his eagerness to take on the challenge of fighting Mike Tyson, saying: "Nobody can tell Mike Tyson what to do and if he wants to fight me, of course I'm going to say yes. This is the opportunity of a lifetime to fight one of the two most famous boxers to ever live; Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. I look at Mike Tyson as a killer so I never really expected something like this."

Instead of Tyson, Paul ended up facing and defeating bare-knuckle fighter and ex-UFC athlete Mike Perry in the sixth round on the date initially set for the Tyson match-up. Discussing his broader aspirations, Paul added: "At the end of the day the Mike Tyson fight is great but I have a goal to become world champion and I'm not slowing that down for anyone."

Tyson last competed in a bout that resulted in a draw against fellow boxing legend Roy Jones Jr four years back, impressively dominating most of the encounter. Paul also fought on the same night, securing a second-round knockout victory over NBA player Nate Robinson.

The forthcoming contest between Tyson and Paul will be an official boxing match including two eight-minute rounds with 14oz padded gloves. It's set to be Tyson's first official fight after his retirement mid-way through a bout against Kevin McBride nearly twenty years previously.