In just over a week, YouTube star Jake Paul and boxing legend Mike Tyson will face off in a highly anticipated boxing match at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The unique bout is set for eight two-minute rounds with 14-ounce gloves—sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Meanwhile, Tyson’s potential use of testosterone replacement therapy has sparked considerable debate since the bout is being sanctioned as a professional boxing match.

Earlier this year, the 58-year-old experienced an ulcer flare-up during a cross-country flight, prompting the fight to be rescheduled to November 15. While ulcers are typically treated with medications that reduce stomach acid, Tyson’s health approach often includes unconventional remedies. Not to mention, he has promoted products that are considered performance-enhancing and banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as well as the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). So, the question is—is Tyson still using TRT? 

Has Mike Tyson ever been on TRT?

Mike Tyson has previously used testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) as part of his health and fitness-related regimen. He has even publicly discussed his use of “hormone therapy” and is a co-founder of Iron Remedy MD. Tyson’s company aims to help men with low testosterone levels, as he announced in a statement, “I want men everywhere to know Iron Remedy MD has the solutions to help you be the best version of yourself.”

Tyson has promoted the use of synthetic testosterone and other products to boost low testosterone levels through a business partnership with Ocenture. Notably, the products promoted by Tyson are prohibited by WADA and TLRD. Tyson has also worked with a doctor to use protein derived from the placenta and umbilical cords to get rid of his once-debilitating back pain. 

These injections are not approved by the FDA and may violate WADA regulations. Tyson also seems to have gone through stem cell treatment, electrostimulation, and a hyperbaric chamber, as revealed by his former trainer Brad Rowe. Regardless, Tyson’s use of TRT has come under scrutiny, especially in professional boxing.

During his 2020 exhibition fight against Roy Jones Jr., Tyson seems to have stopped testosterone treatments to avoid the risk of testing positive for synthetic testosterone. Tyson’s former trainer, Brad Rowe, mentioned, “Tyson stopped the treatments when he began training for the exhibition fight… to avoid testing positive for synthetic testosterone.”

Joe Rogan talks about Mike Tyson’s TRT transformation 

Back in April, on JRE #155 featuring UFC fame, Max Holloway, podcaster and commentator Joe Rogan discussed Tyson’s testosterone replacement therapy in connection to the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight. “That’s what’s interesting about this Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight,” Rogan began.

He credited the treatment as a “game-changer” for “old people,” noting, “57-year-old man today, like Mike Tyson, it’s like that’s not 57-year-old man from 1994.” Meanwhile, Tela Mange, the communications manager for TDLR has said fighters can apply for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) if a medical condition requires the use of medication on the list of banned substances. 

This could allow Mike Tyson to continue TRT without breaking any rules and regulations set by the TDLR in his upcoming fight against Paul. However, Mange also stated that TDLR is prohibited from revealing whether Tyson or Paul are on any TUEs because of HIPAA privacy regulations. 

SNAC founder questions Tyson’s undisclosed drug testing reports

Last month, disgraced BALCO founder Victor Conte, shared his concerns about the lack of transparency with the drug testing process in the Paul vs. Tyson fight. “Can anybody confirm if there has been random testing leading up to this event?  All I [f]ind is that the Texas Commission seems to be in charge of the testing,” Conte wrote in a tweet.

Despite Conte’s concerns about the random testing process, the state of Texas requires all fighters in a sanctioned professional bout to go through random drug testing, and Paul and Tyson will do the same. He highlighted, “This fight may be great entertainment but it could also be a recipe for disaster for the health of Tyson.”

Conte questioned whether Tyson got a TUE for the fight, warning if there’s no random testing, then “this event could possibly end in a way that nobody wants 2 see happen.” Regardless, Tyson’s publicist, Jo Mignano, told USA Today, “Mr. Tyson is not and has not been using any medical treatment that would be banned under the Texas Commission.”

It appears that 58-year-old Mike Tyson has gone through testosterone replacement therapy for his health in the past. He may have even received a TUE for the upcoming fight against Jake Paul, but that hasn’t been confirmed by TDLR. Meanwhile, Tyson’s publicist has indicated that Tyson won’t be using anything that is banned by the commission. This could mean Tyson might stop the treatment before the fight. What are your thoughts on TRT? Do you think Tyson will continue using TRT before the Paul fight?