“I almost died in June”: Mike Tyson believes he “still won” after his lost fight against Jake Paul

A lost fight, but despite everything”a success” for Mike Tyson. The former boxing legend, retired from professional sport since 2003, faced YouTuber Jake Paul on Friday in Arlington, Texas (United States), during an exhibition-style fight After eight two-minute rounds, the 27-year-old was declared the winner against the 58-year-old veteran.

“I had to fight to get healthy again”

Despite the defeat, the former champion said on Saturday on the social networkgrateful“to have been able to compete in this fight after all the ordeals he has gone through in recent months.”It's one of those situations where you lost, but still wonhe assured, in reference to his weakened physical capacities during his preparation. I almost died in June. I've had eight blood transfusions. I lost half my blood and 25 pounds in the hospital and had to fight to get healthy and fight, so I won.“

For Mike Tyson, getting back into the ring was a real gamble after his significant health problems in recent months. Some specialists were also worried to see a man almost in his sixties taking the risk of serious injury by participating in this highly publicized duel. Initially scheduled for July 20, it had to be postponed for medical reasons linked to the state of health of Mike Tyson, victim of an ulcer a few weeks earlier.

If he had reappeared with boxing gloves in 2020 during a first exhibition match, “Iron Mike” fought a fight of a completely different magnitude last week. This time, the meeting with Jake Paul took place in the stadium of the Dallas Cowboys American football franchise, packed with 72,000 people. According to Netflix, broadcaster of the event, more than 60 million households were also connected to the program.

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Thursday, the two protagonists had crumbled at the time of the official weigh-in, the day before their fight. Jake Paul was then slapped by Mike Tyson, annoyed that his opponent had stepped on the tip of his foot. Despite this animosity, they both have one thing in common: support for President-elect Donald Trump, who will return to the White House in January after defeating Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the election. presidential election on November 5.