AAP FACTCHECK – False claims that boxing legend Mike Tyson has died in hospital are being shared on social media.
The former heavyweight champion has posted on social media in recent days, and his publicist says there is no truth to the claims he is dead.
The 58-year-old came out of retirement for a bout with YouTuber Jake Paul, which he lost in a unanimous decision on November 15, 2024.
Dozens of Facebook posts published in the days after the bout claim that Tyson has died and feature manipulated images of him with caskets or hospital beds.
“R.I.P. Mike Tyson Just Died In The Hospital, Along With His Last Regret,” the captions read.
Some posts include images of car wreckage, suggesting the former sportsman was involved in an accident, sometimes with overlay text reading: “Rest in peace.”
A reverse search of the car wreckage image used in many of the false posts showed it was a photo of a fatal Texas road accident in 2023.
Other users making the claim in Facebook posts have added links to suspicious websites and surveys in the comments.
Two days after the high-profile boxing event, Tyson revealed he had suffered health problems in the lead-up to his bout with Paul.
“This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in ring one last time,” he wrote in a post on X.
“I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won.”
Tyson’s publicist Joann Mignano said the claims about her client’s death were false.
“[There is] no truth to this,” she told AAP FactCheck.
Tyson also responded to fellow boxer Evander Holyfield’s call for the pair to rematch in an Instagram post on November 19.
“I love you brother, but the trilogy is our friendship,” Tyson commented.
False claims about Tyson’s death have been debunked in the past by Snopes and Dubawa.
The Verdict
False – The claim is inaccurate.
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