Mike Tyson has debilitating health condition that can leave him unable to walk and talk
Mike Tyson has previously been seen in a wheelchair and it's because of a serious health issue that can even prevent him from talking.
Mike Tyson suffers with a condition which can impact both his mobility and speech. The boxing icon, 57, sparked fears about his health when he was pictured in a wheelchair in 2022.
Tyson had to be helped through Miami airport by a member of staff, while he’d also previously been seen using a walking stick in New York. It was later explained those incidents were as a result of sciatica.
It’s a type of nerve pain that originates in the lower back and travels along the path of the sciatic nerve into the back of the thighs. It can cause weakness or numbness in the lower half of the body.
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A source close to Tyson told TMZ at the time: "He’s dealing with a sciatica flare-up. Nothing serious. Just an occupational hazard for an athlete like Mike."
Then Iron Mike confirmed the issue himself, explaining just how serious it can get at its worst. He said on Newsmax: "I have sciatica every now and then, it flares up. When it flares up, I can’t even talk!”
Tyson went on to insist he was fully fit otherwise, adding: “Thank God it’s the only health problem I have. I’m splendid now. Everybody in my house is truly blessed and we’re all very grateful for whatever we have.”
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However, his fight against Jake Paul has been postponed from July 20 to November 15 after he was taken ill on an American Airlines flight from Miami to Los Angeles last month. He was said to have felt nauseous and dizzy during the journey.
Paramedics attended to him at LAX and a statement issued soon after read: "Thankfully Mr. Tyson is doing great. He became nauseous and dizzy due to an ulcer flare up 30 minutes before landing. He is appreciative to the medical staff that were there to help him.”
While it’s maintained he’s in good health, it means he can’t train for several weeks for fear of perforating his stomach wall. And that’s why his return bout will now taken place four months later than planned.
That's only if he passes a series of rigorous health tests, though, with the possibility of it being called off altogether not ruled out. He'll be closely monitored by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, with the event set to take place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Tyson retired from professional boxing back in 2005 due to a back injury. He also struggled with a knee issue in the latter years of his career, but showed no signs of concern in his exhibition with Roy Jones Jr in 2020.