The highly anticipated fight between boxing legend Mike Tyson and Youtuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul was scrapped just weeks before its scheduled date on July 20th. The Netflix-streamed event was a major drawback for fight fans, but a medical emergency forced a postponement. On May 31st, it was revealed that Tyson suffered an ulcer flare-up while traveling, leading to the delay.

Moreover, thankfully, the fight isn’t completely off the table. It’s been rescheduled for November 15th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. While fans waited with bated breath, the boxing world was surprised by another development. According to the social media account Happy Punch, Jake Paul has a new opponent lined up-former UFC fighter, Mike Perry. However, UFC veteran Michael Bisping threw a wrench into the plans. Bisping reportedly raised concerns about potential issues with the Jake Paul vs Mike Perry matchup.

UFC legend’s verdict on Mike Tyson’s fight limbo

Former UFC champion Michael Bisping is never one to mince words when it comes to MMA fighters and combat sports in general. True to form, Bisping recently weighed in on the potential Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry matchup, offering his take on the problems this fight could pose for Paul. Furthermore, according to Bisping, while Mike Perry may not have extensive boxing experience, he boasts an impressive UFC record and is a star in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. On top of that, Perry is currently in his prime fighting years. These factors, Bisping argues, could create significant challenges for Jake Paul.

“First of all, Jake Paul was supposed to fight Mike Tyson,” Bisping explained. “But then the date got pushed back. Different date, same knockout. Jake Paul couldn’t fight because Mike Tyson had a medical emergency.” Bisping then added a humorous touch, referencing a classic Mike Tyson soundbite from 2002 that infamous clip of Tyson yelling “My back is broken! Spinal!” after a fight.” Then, Bisping raised serious doubts about whether Tyson, in his late 60s, could even train anymore.

However, this news is a downer for fans who were excited to see Mike Tyson back in the ring. However, many might not be aware of the context of his famous “I broke my back, my back is broken. Spinal!” outburst, which has become a pop culture meme. In a past interview, Tyson revealed the origin of this now-iconic phrase.

Mike Tyson reveals the truth behind his iconic statement “My back is…”

Mike Tyson himself is a pop culture icon, and even his most unexpected words can’t escape that fate. Remember his infamous outburst in 2002 after losing the fight to Lennox Lewis? “I broke my back, my back is broken. Spinal!” That quote, originally intended as an explanation for his performance, became a meme long before the term was widely used. Then, eighteen years after the infamous outburst, Tyson finally shed some light on the situation in a detailed interview with Compbox TV.

He explained, “Listen, I’ve always had a bad back. And after years of all that punishment, my spine just started to shift on me.” Tyson went on to reveal that he considered surgery, but the doctor warned him it would limit his mobility. ” He said, “You ‘re gonna have to start bending over,” adding, “that wasn’t an option for me.” The interviewer, Dan Cannobbio, then chimed in, admitting he laughs every time he sees the video of Tyson’s outburst. Tyson’s response? “I think it’s funny, it’s really funny! What’s wrong Mike? Spinal!” he said, before erupting in laughter.

With Tyson’s return from retirement currently on hold due to his health, fans can now only hope to see him and Jake Paul face off in November. Stay tuned for further updates!