Mike Tyson has opened up about some of his most personal struggles including drug addiction and mental health in a wide-ranging interview with Loaded magazine.
The American boxing icon, 58, whose next fight is against YouTuber Jake Paul, also explained his use of testosterone therapy and the ‘misconceptions’ around it.
Tyson explained that taking the hormone therapy helps both his mental and physical health, as he slammed the false narrarive that men have to take testosterone it is because there is ‘something wrong with them’.
Speaking to the magazine, he said: ‘I think there is this misconception that if men take testosterone it’s because physically there is something wrong with them.
‘But from the age of 30, I don’t care how healthy you are, your testosterone levels drop. This affects more than just your physicality, it also affects your mood. Getting a testosterone plan as you age should be as normal for a man as taking a daily supplement in my opinion, because it does so much to stabilise the body and mind.’
Elsewhere during the discussion, Tyson detailed using ‘better tools’ to help with his mental health after overcoming drug addiction.
He said: ‘I still have struggles with my mental well being but thankfully I have better tools. I’ve learned a lot over the years from being a former drug addict. I understand my triggers and why I self sabotage.
Mike Tyson has opened up about some of his most personal struggles including drug addictio and mental health in a wide-ranging interview with Loaded magazine (pictured 2005)
The American boxing icon, 58, whose next fight is against YouTuber Jake Paul , also explained his use of testosterone therapy and the ‘misconceptions’ around it
The former world heavyweight champion, who takes on Paul Arlington’s AT&T Stadium on November 15, was once considered ‘the baddest man on the planet’ (pictured August with Paul at their fight press conference)
‘When I’m honest with myself and do that self inventory I feel great. I think many people want to blame others for their problems without realising they are a part of their own story and they can redirect their life at any time. But that’s only possible if you’re honest with yourself about how you got to where you are now.’
The release of the interview comes just days after Mike admitted he wouldn’t want anybody to live the controversial life that he has.
The former world heavyweight champion, who takes on Paul Arlington’s AT&T Stadium on November 15, was once considered ‘the baddest man on the planet’.
The fight was originally slated for July, only for Tyson to suffer a medical emergency on a plane. An ‘ulcer flare-up’ saw Tyson become nauseous and dizzy before paramedics later came on board.
In an interview with the All the Smoke Fight podcast, Tyson was asked if his life had been ‘too much’ at times with the former champion shedding tears as he responded.
He said: ‘I don’t wish that on anyone. I don’t wish my life on no one. As a whole, yeah.’
Tyson also revealed that fame was a motivator for him, saying: ‘that’s why I was training so hard. I was a nobody that wanted to be a somebody. I wanted it all. I wanted to be the biggest fighter in the history of life.’
Tyson takes on YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium on November 15
The release of the interview comes just days after Mike admitted he wouldn’t want anybody to live the controversial life that he has (pictured ahead of his first fight after prison release)
Fans have been concerned about the prospect of Tyson competing again at his age but he clearly feels he still has what it takes to compete.
‘I don’t think I’m 58. Do you think I feel 58 when I’m fighting these young n****** in the gym, and they’re bashing me them big strong mother*******, and I’m bashing them back.
‘He’s supposed to be the young guy, I’m supposed to be the old man, he’s going to run all…night? I think he should try it.
‘He’s a younger man, he should be able to handle punches from an old withering man like me. Listen, you can’t compare me with other people my age because other people my age haven’t been training as long, consistently as me.
‘I’m just a different species of human being, I think because I’m very active in what I do. I don’t sit around and do nothing. It’s going to be a wonderful evening, the city of Dallas is going to be entertained.’
Tyson’s journey has been colourful to say the least. He has been married three times, had seven children with three women.
His mother died when he was a teenager, he bit into the ear of his opponent Evander Holyfield in 1997 and went to prison in his 20’s.
‘My whole life has been a waste – I’ve been a failure,’ he told USA Today in 2005. ‘I just want to escape. I’m really embarrassed with myself and my life.’ But he appears to have found peace now.
Elsewhere during the discussion, Tyson detailed using ‘better tools’ to help with his mental health after overcoming drug addiction
Ahead of the fight, Tyson revealed he is currently ulcer-free – and said that his diet was to blame for his previous health issues.
‘I was doing too much bad food and stuff, and I got sick, he exclusively told DailyMail.com.
Tyson said he was now avoiding processed foods and ‘eating clean’ ahead of his fight with Paul, who is 31 years his junior.
He also added that he was still vaping – ‘can’t escape the vapes,’ he said.
The former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world was also asked about how his fight with Paul may affect his legacy – though it’s clear he’s not concerned with whatever opinions may be formed about him.
‘I didn’t take this fight for legacy,’ he said. ‘I think legacy really, to my perspective, legacy is ego. Who gives a f*** how people think about them when they are gone?
‘I’m dead. I can’t value off what somebody might think about me when I’m dead, so it means nothing to me.’
Paul, for his part, has been confident ahead of the fight as well.
In September, he said he’d give Tyson $5million more if he lasted more than four rounds – but said Tyson would have to get ‘I love Jake Paul’ tattooed on him if he was unable to reach that mark.
Paul, who rose to fame as a YouTuber, has won nine of his 10 professional bouts, only losing to Tommy Fury by split decision last year.
