Mike Tyson Reveals Impact of Past Surgery Ahead of Jake Paul Fight: ‘Ruined My Life’

Mike Tyson has opened up about a life-altering injury and subsequent surgery following a painful hoverboard accident eight years ago. The boxing icon, now 58, revealed that the incident drastically affected his life and health. Despite this setback, Tyson is gearing up for a return to the boxing ring, set to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in an anticipated bout next month.

Tyson shared his story during a recent interview on the “All The Smoke Fight” podcast, recounting the moment in 2016 when he decided to try out a hoverboard, a Christmas gift for one of his children. The choice led to an unfortunate fall, resulting in a significant injury that required surgery. Tyson humorously recalled, “I jumped on it, and boom, I was on the floor. That [hoverboard] ruined my life. I had to get surgery and everything.”

Adding a touch of humor, Tyson noted that he wasn’t the only one impacted by a hoverboard mishap that night. He recalled walking into the hospital emergency room to find multiple others who had also been injured by hoverboards. “Can you imagine?” he laughed. “I wasn’t the only one. The emergency room was full of people that night all because of hoverboards.”

Tyson also shared how he was embarrassed when his wife posted footage of the fall, showing the world just how hard he had hit the ground. “The whole floor shook. I can’t believe my wife put it out there,” he said, adding a playful yet rueful sentiment about the incident.

With his fight against Jake Paul on the horizon, some fans and observers have expressed concern about Tyson’s health. Earlier this year, he dealt with a flare-up related to an ulcer, sparking worries about his physical readiness for such a high-profile match. Tyson, however, remains unfazed, asserting that he’s fully prepared and in good health. Addressing the ulcer issue, he said, “Everything is sorted out. I was eating badly, but that’s behind me now.”

In discussing his upcoming fight, Tyson seems eager to prove his resilience and show the world that he’s still capable of drawing a crowd and putting on a show. “Who else can do that at 58?” he asked, proudly adding that performing in front of a massive audience is motivation for him to give his best in the ring. “It makes me feel like I have to perform. I have to deliver because the crowd is counting on me,” Tyson remarked.

The bout against Jake Paul is expected to draw significant attention, with fans curious to see if Tyson still possesses the strength and agility that made him a legendary fighter. While many are concerned about his physical state, Tyson’s determination and readiness to fight signal that he’s not one to back down from a challenge, even in the later stages of his career.