Jake Paul’s upcoming fight against Mike Tyson on November 15 has stirred significant controversy, partly due to accusations of steroid use against Paul. The bout, which marks Netflix’s first live combat sports event, was originally scheduled for July 20 but was postponed after Tyson suffered an ulcer flare-up during a flight.
The match has raised concerns within the boxing community, not only due to Tyson’s age—he is 58—but also because of the allegations surrounding Jake Paul and the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Former MMA fighter Dillon Danis ignited the speculation on August 6, posting a picture of Paul with severe acne and implying steroid use in the caption, “Steroids are bad kids.”
Doctors have weighed in on these allegations. Dr. Stuart Fischer, a physician based in New York, described the photograph as “definitely suspicious.” Fischer explained that steroid use can lead to acne, as it affects the skin’s elasticity and can cause hormonal changes. Sports performance nutritionist Tom Coughlin also noted that while Jake Paul may have reasons to use steroids to enhance his performance, there’s no definitive proof from the photo alone. Coughlin emphasized that professional athletes are often subject to more rigorous scrutiny than Paul, who has yet to be tested publicly for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).
Despite these concerns, neither Fischer nor Coughlin considers the photo conclusive evidence of steroid use. Without a formal drug test, the claims remain speculative. Jake Paul has faced similar accusations in the past. In 2023, former UFC fighter Nate Diaz also suggested that Paul was using steroids. Adding to the controversy, Paul’s brother, Logan Paul, questioned him about these claims during a lie-detector test in June. When asked if he was using PEDs, Jake Paul responded with a humorous reference to Viagra before affirming that he was not using steroids. The lie detector test subsequently indicated that Jake was truthful.
The upcoming fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson has become a focal point of discussion, highlighting ongoing debates about steroid use and its impact on athletes. Steroids side effects for men can be severe, including hormonal imbalances, acne, and changes in physical appearance, all of which are relevant in the current discourse surrounding Paul. While the steroid accusations add another layer of drama to the event, they also raise important questions about fairness and transparency in the world of professional boxing. As the fight date approaches, both fans and critics are closely watching how these issues will unfold.
