Boxing legend Mike Tyson has addressed recent speculations regarding his knee health ahead of his highly anticipated heavyweight match against Jake Paul on November 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Following the release of a sparring video on his Instagram and X accounts, which showcased Tyson sporting a black compression sleeve on his right knee, questions arose about a potential injury.
Andrew Ruf, Tyson‘s agent, responded to inquiries by informing USA TODAY Sports that the compression sleeve serves purely as a preventative measure.
“No injury here. He’s looking invincible,” he said, adding that it is similar to what tennis star Novak Djokovic uses.
Joann Mignano, Tyson‘s publicist, reinforced this explanation by dismissing injury rumors.
“[Tyson] is currently training and ensuring that his body is healthy and strong,” he noted. “The knee support is strictly for preventative measures and has zero relevance on his performance or capabilities to win this fight.”
The necessity for such precautions may stem from Tyson’s recent health scare on May 26, when he experienced a medical emergency attributed to an “ulcer flare-up.” This incident led to the postponement of his previously scheduled fight on July 20.
Teddy Atlas’ comment on Tyson’s sparring footage
Adding context to the situation, Teddy Atlas-who collaborated with Tyson under the renowned trainer Cus D’Amato during Tyson‘s early career-commented on the sparring footage.
“Didn’t seem to be anything restricted in his movements or his legs coming forward,” Atlas told USA TODAY Sports. “Usually when you have a knee problem, it would restrict you or compromise you more going to the side. Tyson don’t go to the side anymore. He mostly goes straightforward.
“Is [the sleeve] there because there was a problem, is a problem? I didn’t see any proof of that by what he was doing.”
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