Titanic Implications: Will Comments From Mike Tyson Sink Fight?
The Tyson and Paul bout hangs in the balance. One can hardly turn around without seeing daily reports hinting at the event's potential collapse. Rumors, speculations, and opinions now have a life of their own, only adding fuel to the fire.
Potential Ban For Tyson
The latest updates indicate that potential actions taken by Tyson could lead to a ban, making it even more unlikely for the match to happen. Here fans are hit with one more reason not to take any of this seriously. This is one case wherein the boxing community is left wondering if this was ever going to happen or simply smoke and mirrors.
Some may wonder what actions could lead to Tyson being banned from boxing. According to sources, if Tyson uses drugs before the fight, he could face serious consequences, possibly leading to a ban. Where did these headlines originate from? And which specific substances would warrant such a penalty?
A Light-Hearted Response Or Serious Concern?
During a recent appearance on a talk show, Mike Tyson was questioned about his history of drug use and whether he plans to be under the influence during his upcoming match against Paul. Tyson responds with a hint of humor, stating that he will be
"high off life,"
likely referencing his passion for boxing. The host then presses further, asking if he will be more specifically smoking marijuana. Tyson playfully admits it is a possibility, but the question arises: who would take this response seriously? And why would he be banned for using weed?
Even though marijuana has been legalized in multiple states, according to The Mirror, if a fighter tests positive for a banned substance, they would be suspended for 90 days, and if they win, the decision would be overturned for breaking the rules. Despite its legalization in some places, marijuana remains on the TDLR's list of banned substances.
Mike Tyson's Ghost
Some may argue that Tyson's statement was a joke. After all, there are not many times when he doesn't display his sense of humor. There is no need to worry or overreact to it.
This would be the case if Tyson didn't have a history of being under the influence before a match. In 2013, Tyson penned his autobiography titled "Undisputed Truth." In this book, he openly admitted to using drugs during some of his fights. The Bleacher Report highlights a particular statement from the book, where Tyson states that he was under the influence when he fought Lou Savarese in Glasgow in June 2000.
He also shares that he came up with a clever way to avoid getting caught by official drug testers. Tyson doesn't just admit to using drugs on occasion; he confesses to being addicted to crack cocaine. As Bleacher Report notes, Tyson said,
“I was a full-blown cokehead.”
That was years ago, right? Not exactly. In a comeback match with Roy Jones Jr, the boxer again admitted to smoking a joint before his match. MMA Mania recounts Tyson's post-meeting with the press.
"Did you have one right before the fight? Absolutely, yeah, it’s just who I am, it has no effects on me from a negative standpoint. It’s just what I do, who I am, and how I’m going to die."
Analyzing Spectacle Vs. Substance
Although this statement was more recent, it is in the past. It is unreasonable to draw significant conclusions based on a brief moment of humor from a talk show, as it lacks the depth and seriousness required for making informed judgments. It's a far cry from an explicit statement confirming his intentions for the upcoming bout.
Or maybe it's not? While that is yet to be seen, such a statement should not invite closer scrutiny. When it does, it only adds to the speculation that the match is not likely to happen.
The Drama Continues: Unlikely Match Hopes
This event has turned into a chaotic circus, complete with multiple sideshows. The back-and-forth is not helpful. It certainly isn't a positive for the other boxers scheduled to fight at the same event.
The drama now rivals a daytime soap opera with a never-ending cliffhanger. One could conclude that consistently raising and dashing fans' hopes is unfair. It does, however, keep people checking headlines. Regrettably, fans shouldn't get their hopes up, as the chances of Tyson taking on Jake Paul are diminishing by the day.
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