Jake Paul and his team were in the dark about Mike Tyson’s health struggles before their boxing match, despite the latter’s recent admission that he feared for his life.

The 58-year-old former heavyweight world champion faced off against the YouTuber-turned-boxer last Friday in his first professional fight since 2005. Paul emerged victorious with a unanimous decision in Texas, but he didn’t manage to deliver a knockout blow.

Post-fight CompuBox statistics showed that Tyson connected with just 18 punches throughout the eight rounds, landing only four of his 13 power punches to the body and missing all five jab attempts. Tyson confessed on X that he “almost died” prior to his loss to Paul, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to step back into the ring.

Tyson wrote: “This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in ring one last time.

“I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won. To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you.”

Despite Tyson’s alarming social media posts about his health, Paul’s business partner Nakisa Bidarian disclosed on ‘The Ariel Helwani Show’ that they were in the dark regarding Tyson’s condition prior to their fight.

Paul was unaware of Tyson's health issues

Paul was unaware of Tyson’s health issues ( 

Image:

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)

He said: “That sentiment that was shared by him on that post, was never shared with us. We have the doctor’s reports, we have the conversations with the doctor’s, that was never something we thought about… him close to losing his life or whatever it was he said in the post.

“I appreciate there was a lot of emotion leading up to that event and I appreciate him the next day him reflecting on what he went through, but I can unequivocally say every single report we had from the his team, every conversation we had his doctor’s were nothing other than, ‘He’s 100 percent going to be able to compete, starting at the end of August, early September’.”

The bout between Tyson and Paul was initially scheduled for July but got delayed due to Tyson experiencing a health scare during a flight. Tyson opened up about the severity of the situation before the rescheduled match, recounting: “I was in the bathroom throwing up blood. I asked the doctor, ‘Am I going to die?’ He said, ‘We have options.’

“Options? I couldn’t believe it. I had, like, eight blood transfusions. The doctor said I lost half my blood. I almost died. I lost 25 pounds in 11 days. Couldn’t eat. Only liquids. Every time I went to the bathroom, it smelled like tar. Didn’t even smell like —- anymore. It was disgusting.

“It threw me off [when I continued training]. All my coordination, stamina, everything was hectic getting back. I was peaked already. I could have fought him that day. Now I got to start from scratch. I just don’t give up. I’m an ——- sometimes. I’m a —-. If I haven’t outlived my enemies, I’ve turned them into my friends.”