Jake Paul may already have a replacement opponent lined up due to concerns over Mike Tyson’s health ahead of their July 20 fight.
The controversial Netflix fight between 27-year-old Paul and Tyson – who will be 58 when he climbs the ropes again this summer – has already drawn criticism due to the boxing legend’s age and the fact he has not competed professionally in 19 years.
And to add to the concerns for his safety, ‘Iron’ Mike suffered a medical emergency on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles this weekend.
The former undisputed heavyweight champion became nauseous and dizzy due to a flare-up of a stomach ulcer, prompting flight staff to ask passengers if there was a doctor on board to provide assistance.
Paramedics boarded the plane, which had already been delayed for two hours in Miami due to the heat, after landing in LA to provide treatment ahead of Tyson’s speedy recovery.
Jake Paul may already have a replacement opponent lined up due to concerns about Mike Tyson
Tyson suffered a medical scare during a flight from Miami to Los Angeles on Sunday
Despite his reps claiming he is ‘doing great’ following the health scare, it remains to be seen whether Tyson passes medical tests and is deemed fit to fight Paul this summer.
However, should he fail these tests or withdraw, former UFC star Chael Sonnen says he is the man in line to replace the 57-year-old.
In a series of posts on
“I think it was wise of Jake Paul to write me into the contract as a backup for Tyson, right???” the ex-MMA fighter said in light of Tyson’s health issues.
“If Jake Paul realizes he might be fighting ME in a month, HE might be the one having a heart attack.”
He then added, “…Maybe Anderson Silva’s tune-up with @spatenbr makes a little more sense now, doesn’t it…? #Master plan’.
While Sonnen claims he is waiting in the wings, Tyson insists he is “back to 100 percent” after his medical care.
Former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen says he is in line to potentially replace Tyson
Sonnen went to X this week to claim he is in the contract as the boxing icon’s backup
He wrote on social media: “I’m feeling 100% now, even though I don’t have to be like that to beat Jake Paul.”
Sonnen spent four years in the UFC, challenging for the light heavyweight and middleweight titles and ultimately falling short in defeats to MMA icons Silva and Jon Jones.
In Touch was first unveiled Monday morning that Tyson “had a medical emergency on the plane and paramedics boarded.”
Sources claim that the cabin crew “made an announcement 30 minutes before landing asking for a doctor and the message even appeared on everyone’s screen.”
“He was in first class, but we sat in a row near the exit,” an eyewitness added.
“They asked us to stay on the plane and it landed so paramedics could get in. [The stewardess] said something like, “He’s a very important passenger, so we want to make sure he’s okay.” “I knew it was him, but I just said the words ‘Mike Tyson’ and she nodded yes.”
Once the plane landed at LAX, there was another delay of about 25 minutes while paramedics treated Tyson.
Tyson, who has previously admitted to daily marijuana use, gave up the drug during training to fight Paul because it is on the list of banned substances used by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
He also revealed that he has temporarily stopped having sex as part of his training regime.