Mike Tyson says he almost died in Jun. 2024, lost 11kg before Jake Paul fight

Mike Tyson revealed a day after losing to Jake Paul in what could be his last boxing match, that he "almost died" in June 2024 and underwent multiple blood transfusions to recover.

The result was losing 11kg of weight, while on the brink of mortality, and having to undergo multiple blood transfusions.

The former heavyweight title holder, 58, took to X on Saturday, Nov. 16 to open up about his health woes.

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…

— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) November 16, 2024

"This is one of those situations when you lost but still won," Tyson wrote.

"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," he continued.

"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 🙏."

Tyson, who had not fought in a formal match in 19 years before the latest bout, entered the ring wearing a knee brace.

Life-threatening ulcer

Tyson's post was in reference to a life-threatening ulcer that severely affected his health.

He was forced to postpone his initial fight with Paul, which was originally scheduled for July 2024.

The "Baddest Man on the Planet" recounted his ordeal in the Netflix documentary, "Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson", which was released ahead of the Nov. 15 match.

“I asked the doctor, 'Am I going to die?'" Tyson recalled in the show.

"And she didn't say no. She said we have options, though. That's when I got nervous."

Jake Paul eased off

In the match against Paul, 27, the former YouTube star at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which was streamed live on Netflix, Tyson appeared a shadow of his former self.

Paul, to his credit, said in a post-fight interview that he eased up on Tyson in round three.

"Yeah, definitely," Paul said, when asked by a reporter if he took his foot off the gas when it was not even midway through the eight-round fight.

Paul replied, noting that Tyson was not on the attack at some point: "Definitely a bit. I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn't want to hurt someone that didn't need to be hurt."

By the seventh and eighth rounds, Paul could have pressed harder for a knockout but he chose not to. 

He shared that it was to avoid creating a negative lasting image of a boxing champion he respected. 

“I tried to give the best fight I possibly could,” Paul said.

“When someone’s just surviving in the ring, basically, it’s hard to make it exciting.”

Top photos via Mike Tyson X