The day after his defeat to Jake Paul, Mike Tyson, 58, wrote on his X account (formerly Twitter) that he did not regret entering the ring “for the last time” and brought details of a painful process in which he was subjected to blood transfusions and weight loss in June this year.
Considered one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, he hasn’t fought professionally since 2005. This Friday (15), Tyson lost to influencer Paul in a media clash. “This is one of those situations where you lost, but still won,” Tyson wrote this Saturday (16).
“I’m grateful for last night. I don’t regret stepping into the ring for the last time.”
Shortly after the fight, in the early hours of Saturday Brasília time, the boxer was evasive when asked if he would fight again. “I don’t know. It depends on the situation,” he said.
The confrontation, initially, had been scheduled for July 20th. However, Tyson suffered from an ulcer crisis and, therefore, the date had to be rescheduled.
“I almost died in June. I had eight blood transfusions. I lost half my blood and 25 pounds in the hospital [11 quilos]”, continues Tyson’s post this Saturday. “I had to fight to get healthy to fight, so I won.”
Finally, Tyson indirectly responded to the criticism he has received for returning to the ring against the YouTuber at 29 years younger.
“Having my sons watch me finish eight rounds with a talented fighter half my age in a packed Dallas Cowboys stadium is an experience no man has the right to ask for,” he wrote.
Tyson, who was wearing a knee brace, was unable to really challenge Paul after being rocked by a few left jabs in the third round, but he did enough defensively to avoid taking serious damage.
Shortly after the fight, he admitted that he had a leg injury. “Yes, but I can’t use that as an excuse. If I did, I wouldn’t be here,” Tyson said.
The younger fighter beat the veteran by unanimous decision (80-72, 79-73 and 79-73). Tyson managed to land just 18 punches compared to Paul’s 78.
