Boxing icon Mike Tyson has made a controversial admission ahead of his fight with Jake Paul.
The former heavyweight champion was due to face the YouTuber-turned-boxer earlier this year, but a medical emergency put a stop to their hyper-publicised fight.
The match had to be rescheduled when Tyson suffered from an inflamed ulcer flare-up, with the hotly anticipated encounter pushed back to November 15.
The big day will be Iron Mike’s first fight since the exhibition against fellow boxing legend Roy Jones in 2020. Tyson hasn’t fought professionally since his loss against Kevin McBride in 2005.
Iron Mike hasn’t fought professionally since 2005. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images for Netflix)
Ahead of the fight, Tyson admitted being ‘a junkie’, saying he was ‘born an addict’. The pro boxer explained he often smokes marijuana, though he had to give it up recently in the lead-up to the fight against Paul.
“I smoked weed all my life. Listen, I was born an addict. I was born that way. I’m a junkie. So, that’s just how I was born,” Tyson said on the Come And Talk 2 Me podcast.
“I don’t know what to do. I don’t get high now, but that’s who I am. I switch my addiction to something else, but I’m a junkie,” he continued.
The boxer also revealed he had taken another drug not long before appearing on the podcast.
“I was smoking not too long ago. I’m cool now, probably two weeks or so without smoking,” he said. “I did a little mushrooms before I came here though.”
Tyson has given weed up while training to fight Paul because marijuana is on the list of banned substances used by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
According to World Boxing News, his health will only be assessed on the day before the fight (November 14).
This means that there is the chance the fight will not take place, particularly after Tyson’s medical scare in May.
The fight against Jake Paul has been rescheduled in May. (Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)
On a fight from Miami to Los Angeles, the former boxer stared feeling dizzy and nauseous, forcing flight attendants to ask if there was a doctor on board. Paramedics boarded the plane once it landed in LA after the flight was delayed by two hours in Florida because of the heat.
Despite the emergency, Tyson seemed still set to beat Paul ‘very badly’.
“On my fight with Roy Jones, I allowed him to fight on the card. I decided I started him and I’m gonna finish him,” he said.
Featured Image Credit: Steve Granitz/FilmMagic and Sarah Stier/Getty Images for Netflix
Topics: Boxing, Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, Drugs, Health
Stefania Sarrubba
Brits ‘don’t know how they lived without’ viral Amazon towel warmer
Saves putting the heating on
This article contains affiliate links and LADbible Group might make a commission on anything purchased.
There’s nothing worse than stepping out of the shower and into a cold bathroom on a winter’s morning.
With Brits resisting the urge to turn the heating on amid the cost of living crisis, some shoppers think they’ve found a smart alternative; people are raving about the ‘affordable luxury’ item that will make your towels nice and toasty, ready for when you step out of the shower.
SereneLife
Available on Amazon, the product has received hundreds of rave reviews with customers praising its endless benefits.
Why are people loving the towel warmer?
The towel warmer has been doing the rounds on TikTok, with shoppers sharing their thoughts on the invention.
User @maddstablefortwo shared an unboxing video and was impressed by how ‘light and boujie’ it is.
Another user by the name of @cupofkatea.ugc shared a similar review, as she said she was ‘very happy’ with the towel warmer and that it’s ‘a must’.
It’s going down a treat on Amazon too.
One shopper simply wrote, “Definitely worth it. We’re ready for the winter forever now.”
Another agreed, adding: “I want to buy this as a gift for everyone. I will never be able to live without it. I’m a very hot shower gal so having a hot towel or robe waiting for me is the cherry on top.”
One shopper was kicking themselves for not investing sooner. They commented, “Why did I wait so long to get this? I’ll never be without it again.”
You can even use the towel warmer to heat up robes, clothes, and pyjamas.
What is a towel warmer?
According to the product description, the towel warmer is compact and portable. It can hold up to two full-size towels at a time, as well as items such as robes, clothes, blankets, and pyjamas. There’s even room to place a scent of your choice to keep your towels smelling fresh.
SereneLife/Amazon
With single-touch control, the dryer heats up within minutes and turns off automatically after 60 minutes – great if you’re having a hot soak in the bath. It’s not too offensive-looking either, as the cream colour will look good in any bathroom.
Where to buy the SereneLife Towel Warmer
The popular towel warmer is currently available on Amazon for £101.99 – that’s a 10% saving off its usual price.
Featured Image Credit: TikTok/@maddstablefortwo/@cupofkatea.ugc
Danielle Fowler
Mike Tyson forced to undergo series of physical tests before Jake Paul fight
Iron Mike is no spring chicken, rather a sleeping tiger.
Mike Tyson isn’t messing around ahead of his highly anticipated match-up against Jake Paul.
The 57-year-old is getting himself in tip top shape before he steps into the ring for the first time in four years to face the former YouTuber.
Iron Mike hasn’t fought since an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr in 2020, which was scored as a draw.
Meanwhile, this will be Paul‘s second fight of 2024 following his win over professional boxer Ryan Bourland.
The pair agreed on personal terms last month and Netflix will be the platform-of-choice that’ll be streaming the controversial match-up, which will take place in the 80,000-capacity AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Despite rubbing purists up the wrong way, Paul has his sights firmly ‘set on becoming a world champion’, and in order to prove himself, he must go against the man who many regard as the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time’.
“It’s crazy to think that in my second pro fight, I went viral for knocking out Nate Robinson on Mike Tyson’s undercard,” the 27-year-old said on X.
“Within just two and a half years of founding MVP (Most Valuable Promotions), we’re about to produce the biggest fight in history, a fight in the biggest NFL stadium in the US, broadcast live, on the biggest streaming platform in the world – a testament to all we’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time.”
Ahead of the bout, however, Tyson will have to pass brain and heart scans, according to Tela Mange, Communications Manager of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations.
Fighters over the age of 36 must provide results from an electroencephalogram (EEG) and an electrocardiogram (EKG) test to compete in the ring.
Instagram/@miketyson
EEG is used for brain evaluation, while EKG is for the heart.
“We can also request additional testing if we think it’s appropriate,’’ Mange told USA Today Sports.
“It’s pretty common for a promoter to request a date several months out but not immediately provide the proposed card.”
Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, has also taken to social media to address the ‘fake’ rumours surrounding the fight.
There were even rumours on social media that the rounds would be two minutes instead of three, and 16oz gloves would be used, rather than 10oz.
Some even suggested that there would be no judges present to score the fight.
Bidarian said: “Breaking news, there is no news. Stop spreading fake news. There’s no truth to all this stuff around Jake Paul and Mike Tyson.
“Here’s what is true, one; Mike Tyson is in unbelievable shape and training like he hasn’t in many, many years and is looking scary for Jake Paul.
YouTube/Jake Paul
“Two, there are no tickets for sale. If you bought tickets those are tickets that don’t exist.
“Three, over 85,000 people have signed up to get access to tickets when they go on sale. This is going to be a historic event.”
The Problem Child has a record of 9-1, with 6 KOs, while Iron Mike is at 50-6, with 44 KOs.
“I’m very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with Jake Paul,” Tyson said.
“He’s grown significantly as a boxer over the years, so it will be a lot of fun to see what the will and ambition of a ‘kid’ can do with the experience and aptitude of a GOAT.
“Now I plan to finish him.”
Tyson will face Paul on 20 July.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@jakepaul/@miketyson
Topics: Jake Paul, Mike Tyson, Netflix, Sport, Boxing
Anish Vij
Fans fear for Jake Paul after Mike Tyson makes surprising ‘sad’ announcement months before fight
‘Iron’ Mike is clearly taking preparation for his clash against Paul very seriously
Boxing fans reckon that Jake Paul ought to pack his bags, change his name and flee to another country after realising how seriously Mike Tyson is taking their upcoming clash.
The unlikely duo will face off in just a matter of months at the 80,000-seat capacity AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which will be streamed live on Netflix.
‘Iron’ Mike, 57, boasts a record of 50-6, with 44 KOs, while the YouTube star’s stands at 9-1, with 6 KOs, so there is obviously already a clear favourite to win.
Despite being three decades older than his opponent, Tyson is confident that he will still triumph – as he’s been there, done that and got the t-shirt plenty of times.
The sportsman, who is regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, said he is ‘very much looking forward to’ stepping into the ring with Paul, AKA the ‘Problem Child’.
Sam Hodde/Getty Images
Tyson said: “He’s grown significantly as a boxer over the years, so it will be a lot of fun to see what the will and ambition of a ‘kid’ can do with the experience and aptitude of a GOAT.
“It’s a full circle moment that will be beyond thrilling to watch; as I started him on his boxing journey on the undercard of my fight with Roy Jones and now I plan to finish him.”
Paul is obviously knuckling down in the gym to get ready to take on Tyson on 20 July, which will be his second fight of the year following his victory over professional boxer, Ryan Bourland.
But fans think that no amount of preparation will save the 27-year-old from getting absolutely battered, especially after Tyson made a ‘sad’ announcement, which showed how dedicated he is to being fighting fit.
Take a look at this:
If you weren’t aware, the ‘baddest man on the planet’ was also a podcaster these days and his popular show Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson proved a huge hit with fans.
He interviewed the likes of Joe Rogan and The Undertaker – and not to mention Jake Paul himself – on the podcast, which is centred around ‘powerful conversations with fascinating minds in a studio full of smoke’.
Tyson has openly discussed his weed habit and even launched his own cannabis company, Tyson 2.0, in October 2021.
Among his range of THC-infused products, he has a line of edibles which are in the shape of Evander Holyfield’s ear, which he memorably took a chunk out of during their June 1997 heavyweight rematch.
The Hangover star also likes a good old chat too, so a weed-related podcast was right up his street.
But on Wednesday (20 March), he stunned fans by announcing Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson was going up in smoke.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
In a video sharing the news, Tyson said: “Ladies and gentlemen, these are my final recordings of Hotboxin‘.
“This is my next chapter in life, please enjoy the following social on my website for my next venture. I love you all.”
The fact he is seemingly jacking in his smoking habit while training for his clash against Paul left boxing fans all thinking the same thing – that Tyson’s opponent is in serious trouble.
One social media user said: “Wait, he quit his podcast smoking pot and talking to focus on a fight….Jake RUN! I don’t even like you, but this is good game.”
Another joked: “Next podcast will be ‘Headpounding with Mike Tyson’. First guest is….”
A third added: “Journey indeed. Now it’s time to seal another chapter in your true craft of boxing my brother. Finish it!”
A fourth wrote: “Mike’s gonna knock this dude out.”
And a fifth chimed in: “I’m excited to see you back in the ring!”
LADbible have contacted Tyson and Paul for comment.
Featured Image Credit: X/MikeTyson/Al Bello/Getty Images
Topics: Boxing, Jake Paul, Mike Tyson, Netflix, Sport, Celebrity
Olivia Burke
Mike Tyson confirms rules for fight against Jake Paul and fans aren’t happy
He’s spoken about the 20 July boxing match.
Mike Tyson has confirmed an important rule about his upcoming bout against Jake Paul and boxing fans aren’t best pleased.
If you’ve been following boxing then you’ll almost certainly have heard that YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul will be stepping into the ring with Mike Tyson later on this year.
The 27-year-old will step into the ring at the AT&T Stadium in Texas with Tyson just a few weeks after the venerable former boxer turns 58.
Tyson’s last fight was an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr in 2020, which was scored as a draw.
While there’s been much anticipation of the fight there’s also been concerns from boxing fans that they might be served up a ‘sparring session’ that’s ‘not gonna be a real fight’.
Now Tyson has confirmed an important detail about the fight, and it might not be what boxing fans wanted to hear.
YouTube/Jake Paul
Speaking to Fox News, he said: “This is called an exhibition, but if you look up exhibition, you won’t see any of the laws we’re fighting under.
“This is a fight. I don’t think he’s faster than me. I’ve seen a YouTube video of him at 16 doing weird dancing. That’s not the guy I’m fighting.
“This is a guy who’s going to try and hurt me, which I’m accustomed to, and he’s going to be greatly mistaken.
“Right now, I’m scared to death. As the fight gets closer, the less nervous I become because it’s reality, and in reality I’m invincible.”
With Tyson confirming the fight will be an exhibition it means the result won’t go on either boxer’s record, and the rules of the fight are more flexible when it’s an exhibition bout.
Francois Nel/Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Exhibition fights can change the number of rounds and indeed the length of the rounds which make up the fight.
Boxing fans are hoping that despite it being an exhibition bout Paul vs Tyson sticks to ‘real boxing rules’ and is an ‘actual fight where they can knock each other out’.
Someone else said ‘ain’t no one watching’ while another dubbed the bout ‘Logan Paul vs Floyd Mayweather again but with different fighters’.
If you remember the aftermath of that fight Mayweather was keen to stress ‘there’s a difference between a real fight and an exhibition’ and claimed he’d have won by knockout in the first round had it been a ‘real fight’.
Mike Tyson says the Jake Paul bout is an exhibition under “real fight” rules
Ahead of the Paul vs Tyson fight, there have been rumours swirling around that rounds would last two minutes instead of three and the boxers would be throwing punches with 160z gloves.
Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, recently hit out at the ‘fake’ claims over how the fight would go.
Meanwhile, Paul himself has had to shoot down claims that he’d get to wear headgear and tag his brother into the fight if things started going wrong, saying some of the things people were claiming about the fight were ‘f**king absurd’.
Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul will take place on 20 July and will be streamed live on Netflix.
Featured Image Credit: Fox/Ricardo Arduengo/Getty Images
Topics: Sport, Boxing, Jake Paul, Mike Tyson, Netflix
