Mike Tyson, the former undisputed heavyweight champion, is just over two weeks away from his highly anticipated fight against YouTube sensation Jake Paul in Arlington, Texas. The bout, which will be broadcast live on Netflix, has sparked renewed attention on some of Tyson’s past statements, leading to a buzz on social media about the so-called “Mike Tyson Funeral.”
The controversy stems from a press conference Tyson and Paul attended on May 14th at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. While answering fan questions and engaging in the usual pre-fight banter, Tyson made an unexpected comment about funerals that caused a clip from the event to go viral. The trending phrase “Mike Tyson Funeral” sparked speculation, but it wasn’t exactly what it seemed.
Despite the commotion, Tyson is not planning Jake Paul’s funeral. His comment was intended as a threat to intimidate Paul. When asked by a fan about the type of music he listens to during training, Tyson responded with a surprising answer: “Funeral music.” This response was meant to unsettle Paul rather than convey any real intent.
Shortly after the press conference, on May 26, Tyson suffered a health scare—a flare-up of an ulcer during a flight across the country. This forced the postponement of the fight, originally scheduled for July, to November 15th. Although his health issues caused concern within the boxing world, Tyson reassured fans that he’s in good condition and fully committed to the match. He remains confident, vowing to knock Jake Paul out. While some doubt his readiness, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations has sanctioned the fight as a professional bout, showing confidence in Tyson’s fitness.
In the run-up to the fight, Tyson has made several striking statements, including how he wants to die. As Netflix gears up for the fight with a three-part documentary series titled Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson, which provides an in-depth look at the fighters’ training camps, Tyson shocked fans by revealing his thoughts on mortality. He said, “If I win, I’ll be immortal. If I do it bad, I don’t want to die in a hospital bed, I want to die in the ring.”
This upcoming cross-generational fight has many fans excited, despite concerns about Tyson’s age and health. Though his comments about listening to funeral music may have been exaggerated for effect, his determination to defeat Jake Paul seems very real. Fans are eagerly awaiting the showdown and are encouraged to share their predictions for the fight.