Jake Paul recently sparked controversy with a claim about Mike Tyson’s health, which quickly led to backlash and clarification.
Months after his high-profile bout with the legendary 58-year-old boxer, Paul made an eyebrow-raising statement during a livestream with Adin Ross. The discussion initially revolved around Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition common among athletes in high-impact sports. Ross asked Paul about the steps he took to prevent the condition, prompting Paul to list various rehabilitation methods. He mentioned treatments such as hyperbaric red light oxygen-hydrogen therapy and the use of psychedelics.
During this conversation, Paul specifically highlighted the benefits of “Toad” – a term often associated with a psychedelic substance derived from the secretions of the Bufo Alvarius toad, known for its hallucinogenic effects. He claimed that this substance promotes neurogenesis, repairing brain cells. However, it was his next statement that caused a stir. While discussing the effectiveness of these treatments, Paul unexpectedly blurted out, “Toad is what cured Mike…Parkinson’s, or sorry, Toad cured, uh, Tyson’s Parkinson so that he could come back and fight.”
This statement shocked Ross and left viewers puzzled, as there had been no prior reports confirming that Tyson had Parkinson’s disease. The remark quickly gained traction online, drawing immediate reactions from Tyson’s team, who wasted no time in setting the record straight. In response, they firmly denied the claim, stating that the former heavyweight champion was in good health and did not suffer from Parkinson’s or any other neurodegenerative disease.
Realizing the backlash, Paul quickly walked back his statement, taking to social media to clarify his words. In a frustrated response, he insisted that he had misspoken and that Tyson had never been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He explained that his intent was to highlight Tyson’s past use of the psychedelic substance to manage pain, something the boxing legend had openly discussed before.
The timing of this controversy is particularly notable given concerns over Tyson’s health leading up to his fight with Paul. Originally set for July 20, the match had to be postponed to November 15 due to a significant health scare. Tyson suffered from a mid-air ulcer flare-up, which led to emergency medical attention. In a recent interview, he revealed that he had required around 10 blood transfusions due to the ulcer, which measured nearly three inches in size.
Despite these known health challenges, Tyson remains physically active and has reassured fans that he is doing well. His team’s statement reinforced this, dismissing any notion that he was dealing with Parkinson’s or any similar condition.
Ultimately, Paul’s comments, though quickly retracted, ignited a fresh wave of speculation surrounding Tyson’s health. While the boxing world continues to debate Paul’s remarks, the former heavyweight champion himself has made it clear that aside from his documented medical history, he is in good shape.