Mike Tyson addressed fans after his unanimous decision loss to Jake Paul on Friday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. At 58 years old, Tyson’s return to the ring drew both praise and criticism, though the boxing legend remained positive in his reflections.
“This is one of those situations when you lost but still won,” Tyson shared in a social media post on Saturday. “I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in the ring one last time.”
Mike Tyson Overcoming Health Challenges
Tyson revealed he overcame significant medical issues leading up to the fight. These included eight blood transfusions and the loss of 25 pounds due to severe blood loss earlier this year. The health scare, which nearly took his life, delayed the original fight date from July to November.
“I almost died in June,” Tyson wrote. “Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won.” Despite these obstacles, Tyson said he cherished the opportunity to compete in front of a sold-out crowd at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium.
“To have my children see me stand toe-to-toe and finish eight rounds with a talented fighter half my age is an experience that no man has the right to ask for,” Tyson added.
A Farewell Performance
The fight itself saw Tyson perform admirably for the first two rounds, but his pace slowed considerably in the third. Jake Paul, 31 years Tyson’s junior, noticeably eased his efforts, seemingly aware of the age and health disparity.
Paul admitted to holding back during the fight. “I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn’t want to hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt,” Paul said during the post-event press conference.
While some criticized the event as exploitative, others highlighted the opportunity it gave Tyson to earn a final massive payday, reportedly $20 million, in a relatively safe environment.
Though Tyson hinted at future fights in a post-fight interview, his social media post suggested otherwise, calling Friday night his “last time” in the ring.
Tyson’s resilience and gratitude resonated with fans, marking what could be a poignant end to an illustrious career.