Mike Tyson and Jake Paul’s boxing match, which was set to air live on Netflix next month, has been put on hold.
An X post from Most Valuable Productions, which was staging the fight, says Tyson has suffered an ulcer flare-up and been advised by medical professionals to do no more than light training over the next few weeks.
“Both Mike and Jake are in agreement that it is only fair to ensure that both athletes have equal training time to prepare for this important match and are able to compete at the highest level,” the company wrote. “The health and well-being of athletes is our top priority, and we fully support Mike in taking the necessary time to allow him to perform at the level he expects.”
The bout was the latest foray for Netflix into the live sports marketplace. To date, the company has aired live exhibition matches in golf and tennis, but this was a higher-profile event that was likely to attract more viewers and let the company stress-test its live programming servers. (Starting in January, Netflix will be the home for WWE’s flagship show Raw, which is regularly the top-rated cable program.)
Paul vs Tyson update. pic.twitter.com/7jPUN5KeSq
— Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions) May 31, 2024
The match will be rescheduled for later this year at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. A new date will be announced on June 7, the promoter said. Both Tyson and Paul kept up the trash-talking in their statements, while supporting the decision to delay the fight.
“My body is in better overall shape than it has been since the 1990s and I will be back to my full training schedule soon,” Tyson said “Jake Paul, this may have bought you some time, but in the end you will still be knocked out and out of boxing for good.”
“I fully support postponing the event so Mike Tyson has no excuses come fight night,” Paul replied.