Mike Tyson's 3 major health concerns for Jake Paul fight after latest scare

On July 20, Netflix will host their first live combat sports event as Mike Tyson takes on Jake Paul, even though the boxing legend continues to be warned about participating. There is a 30-year gap between both fighters, and Tyson's age is starting to show after a recent health scare.

Tyson was honest on stage during his first press conference with Paul, admitting that although training is going well, he's feeling it.

"I'm beautiful... I'm doing great but my body is ---- right now. I'm sore," Tyson said in Harlem, New York on May 13. Just two weeks later Tyson suffered an ulcer flare-up while on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles, and needed assistance to disembark the plane after feeling dizzy and nauseous.

Tyson and Paul will make history when they headline the first boxing card on Netflix, and they're set to profit significantly from the event with 270 million people able to access the fight worldwide through their subscription. But here Express Sport takes a look at three warning signs as Tyson aims to be in fighting shape.

Wheelchair and walking stick

Tyson retired from boxing due to back problems and also suffers from sciatica, a term used to describe lower back pain due to pressure on the sciatic nerve. It got so bad 18 months ago that he needed a wheelchair and walking stick to get around.

However, Tyson has revealed that this is the only health issue he suffers from, and regular exercise can actually help the nerve pressure relax. But doctors believe that Tyson may suffer from another major issue, CTE.

Doctors have brain trauma concerns

Nathan Howarth, Development and Operations Director at the Concussion Legacy Foundation UK, is concerned for Tyson due to the repeated head trauma he's suffered throughout his career and is aware that heavy strikes at the age of 57 could do even more damage. According to Howarth, prolonged exposure to head impacts heightens the risk of conditions like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

"We know your exposure to head impacts increases your risk of things like chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The first reported cases from boxing are from the 1930s, and we still see that in terms of boxing’s risk to CTE, and it’s no secret that there is an element of neurodegeneration," he said. "There’s no definitive idea of what the risks would be but as someone who is 57, there’s clearly going to be a risk in terms of that age profile of potentially having more of an impact for someone who’s older."

Tyson's expiration date claim

Tyson is aware that he won't be around forever, but just two years ago he shared concerns that his expiration date was coming up. “When I look in the mirror, I see those little spots on my face, I say, ‘Wow!’ That’s my expiration date coming close, really soon," Tyson said on his 'Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson' podcast.

The 57-year-old certainly looks in great shape ahead of the fight and even refused to deny competing in future events once he's faced Paul. But this could be his last professional fight, after his request to make it a pro fight was cleared unexpectedly by the Dallas commission.