Mike Tyson v Jake Paul fight was cancelled as distressing incident emerges

Mike Tyson, the former undisputed heavyweight world champion, has disclosed that his affluent acquaintances have proposed financial incentives for him to withdraw from his forthcoming clash with Jake Paul. The 58 year old is set to make an extraordinary comeback to the ring on November 15 against the YouTuber-turned-boxer.

The eagerly anticipated fight is scheduled to take place at the AT&T Stadium in Texas, potentially drawing a crowd of up to 80,000 spectators. 'Iron Mike' was initially slated to face 'The Problem Child' earlier this year but had to pull out due to an ulcer flare-up during a flight.

Despite the setback, the bout was rescheduled, and Tyson insists he will be ready to fight next Friday. Nonetheless, concerns linger over Tyson's wellbeing, given the 31-year age gap between him and Paul.

Prominent boxing promoter Eddie Hearn is expected to be present at the AT&T Stadium to back Katie Taylor in her highly anticipated rematch with Amanda Serrano. However, Hearn has stated he will not stay for the headline event.

Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: "We received a massive offer for Katie. I'm not going to tell her she's not allowed to fight on that card," adding, "Financially it's the biggest purse of her career. I won't be watching the main event. We'll be there defending the belts, and then I'll be off", reports the Mirror.

Hearn is not the only detractor of the heavyweight clash. Exclusive behind-the-scenes content from Tyson's training camp was released on Paul's Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) YouTube channel, offering glimpses into his preparation for the upcoming fight.

In a candid moment captured during a break in training, 'Iron Mike' shared with his coaching staff that several affluent friends had desperately implored him to avoid entering the ring with the younger American opponent. He recounted their words and his reaction: "I have some friends, they're pretty wealthy", he shared.

"They said, 'Don't fight, I give you money'. [I'm like] 'You f****** crazy? '". His return to the ring came after a harrowing health scare that led to the postponement of the original fight date.

In a confession made during a Netflix documentary, Tyson revealed a distressing incident prior to the fight where he collapsed, vomiting blood. "A week and a half ago I was training and I was doing great but then all of a sudden I started feeling tired," he disclosed.

"I was explaining to my trainer, 'I don't know what's wrong with me'."

He continued, recounting his ordeal whilst travelling: "Coming here from Miami on the plane, I went to the bathroom and I threw up blood. The next thing I know I'm on the floor, I was defacating tar. So I came here and they found I had a big ulcer, two-and-a-half inches, and it was bleeding. All my friends were calling me like I was dying."

Tyson expressed his desire to fight, saying: "I asked the doctor if I was going to die and she didn't say no. She said we have options though, and that's when I got nervous. I can't wait to get out of this motherf***er, man. God, I want to fight and start training. I don't want to die in the hospital bedroom, I want to die in the ring. You wouldn't believe what I endured from my ulcer. I lost 26 pounds, can you imagine that? I was so p***ed off because I had peaked. I was good, talking s***, ready". Tyson last fought professionally in 2005, retiring on the stool against Kevin McBride, but did participate in an exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr four years ago.

Meanwhile, Paul, 27, is coming off a notable victory against Mike Perry in July.