Iron Mike Tyson will be back into a boxing ring for the first time since his Covid-19 lockdown bout with Roy Jones Jr., but it might not be a good idea for the almost-58-year-old to take on Jake Paul.
Tyson last fought professionally in 2005, when he was defeated for the third time in four fights and had become a shadow of the feared fighter he is remembered for during his time with Cus D’Amato and Kevin Rooney.
Mike Tyson’s latest video strikes fear in Jake Paul, reveals remarkable progress
But now he will be back after agreeing a deal to fight Paul at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, (near Dallas) on July 20 in an event that will also mark the first time Netflix have ever streamed a live boxing match.
So, fans are excited. Paul is excited. Tyson is excited, but he should have a significant deal of concern too, with his idol, Muhammad Ali, showing the risks of staying in the ring for longer than one should.
Tyson will be subjected to repeated blows to the head for up to 36 minutes straight, which for an ageing man really exposes the risk of him developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), commonly known as dementia pugilistica.
CTE is a degenerative brain condition linked to repetitive head trauma, commonly found in athletes and individuals with a history of concussions. Symptoms include memory loss, mood swings, and cognitive impairment.
Tyson is at risk of brain bleeding too
A second risk for the boxing legend would be a condition called a subdural haematoma during which the bridging veins between the brain and blood vessels can be torn due to sustained blows.
In older people, who lose brain volume, this is already a risk factor, but it’s also believed that people who suffered from alcoholism are at even greater risk of the condition. Tyson has battled that issue in the past.
The result of this can lead to diffuse axonal injury and can eventually go on to lead to the development of CTE, leading to cognitive decline and it’s even possible for the brain to shrink as brain cells die or are lost.
A third risk is that Tyson, being almost senior age, is at a greater risk of cardiac troubles – especially as he looks to keep pace with someone in their mid-20s in Jake Paul. Arrhythmia, angina and myocardial infarction are all problems Tyson could run into if he pushes himself too far to train.
Extreme exercise can also lead to cardiac fibrosis whilst heart arteries tend to narrow in older age, making blood flow around the body harder and the muscle to work harder to keep up with the demand asked of it.
Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celeb News
Marca
