Former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson said he’s ready to fight after suffering a health scare that forced the postponement of a highly anticipated exhibition boxing match against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
“I’m doing beautiful,” Tyson told The Dallas Morning News before the Cowboys’ home opener Sunday against the Saints.
Tyson-Paul is scheduled for Nov. 15 at AT&T Stadium.
Both fighters hung out on the field before the game, squaring off at midfield, and stayed to watch the Cowboys play the Saints. Paul wore a white Cowboys jersey. Tyson, who wore a navy blue Cowboys jersey, offered a positive health update.
“Yeah, doctors say I’m fine, no more ulcers or anything,” he said. “I almost have 100% of my own blood. I lost a lot of blood. I’m recuperating.”
In May, Tyson was treated for a bleeding ulcer after suffering a medical emergency while on a flight to Los Angeles from Miami. The Tyson-Paul fight originally was scheduled for July 20 but Tyson’s health issue pushed the fight to November.
Paul fought July 20, defeating bare-knuckles fighter Mike Perry. Paul defeated UFC legend Nate Diaz at American Airlines Center last August.
The rescheduled Tyson-Paul fight will be eight rounds with each round lasting two minutes. Normal boxing matches are three minutes per round.
“I think it will be more exciting,” Tyson said. “You can throw more punches and it’s about entertaining. I’m all about entertaining the crowd.”
Tyson said he’s sparring at six three-minute rounds. Despite Paul saying he will win by knockout, the former champion isn’t fazed.
“I’m going to win,” Tyson said. “When you look for a knockout you usually lose.”
Tyson, who grew up in Brooklyn, said his favorite NFL player was New York Giants Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor. However, he said he was a big Cowboys fan.
“You know, listen, when Deion Sanders and all those guys were here, [Troy] Aikman, I was like the rest of the world, we’re all Cowboys fans.”
