Boxing legend Mike Tyson raised eyebrows at the 2026 ESPYS when he appeared to question the gender of baseball star Shohei Ohtani. Tyson, along with Jake Paul and DJ Khaled, presented the award for best single-game performance, which went to Ohtani for his remarkable showing in Game 4 of the 2025 National League Championship Series.
After the award was announced and it was noted that Ohtani was not present to accept it, a microphone picked up Tyson asking, "Shohei's a guy?" The comment, though not directly into a microphone, was captured on video and quickly circulated on social media.
Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way player, was honored for his exceptional performance against the Milwaukee Brewers, where he hit three home runs and pitched six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts.
Despite Tyson's apparent confusion, Ohtani's dominance in Major League Baseball is well-established. He has been a significant contributor to the Dodgers' success, helping the team achieve the best record in MLB at 61-36 this season as they pursue a third consecutive World Series title.
Ohtani recently missed the 2026 All-Star Game and a scheduled start due to a knee injury. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that fluid was drained from his knee to address irritation, but Ohtani is expected to return for the team's upcoming road series against the New York Yankees.