If Mike Tyson is forced to pull out of his bout with Jake Paul, the former world boxing champion is “on standby” to replace him.
Tyson and Paul are scheduled to face off on July 17 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and the bout will be part of Netflix's first-ever live-streamed boxing card.
The 57-year-old “Iron Mike” is coming out of retirement for the event, and the bout will be played under professional rules.
Tyson hasn't fought professionally since a loss to Kevin McBride in 2005, but has had two exhibition bouts since then, most recently against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020.
On Sunday, Tyson suffered a “medical emergency” while flying from Miami to Los Angeles.
The agent said the recurrence of the ulcer caused “nausea and dizziness” and led to him seeking medical attention.
Mike, 57, is currently “doing fine,” with a source saying: “Mike suffered some sort of medical emergency on the flight and paramedics were sent on board.”
“Before the paramedics arrived, the plane made an announcement requesting a doctor and the message was also displayed on everyone's screens.”
Speaking to World Boxing News, former WBC super middleweight champion Sakio Bika, 45, offered to fight in Tyson's place if he were forced to withdraw from the bout.
The Cameroon-born Australian boxer has won 35 of his 45 professional fights but has only fought once since 2017.
“At the moment I'm just trying to stay fit and ready if the right offer comes along,” he said.
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“I have reached the pinnacle of the sport, been a multiple-time world champion and won the prestigious Contender Series.
“I don't have anything to prove to anyone anymore, but I want to play one more big fight.
“If a guy like Jake Paul or his brother really wants to test themselves against a recent world champion, I'm always ready to fight.
“Mike Tyson is the greatest boxer of all time. He was my hero growing up. He's in great shape and he's almost 60!”
“If Jake Paul is serious about fighting a former champion, he should find someone younger or someone who has been active in the last 10 years. I'm open to fighting at any weight that Jake Paul wants.”
Featured image credit: Getty
Topics: Boxing, Jake Paul, Mike Tyson
