Heavyweight legend Mike Tyson has admitted he wouldn’t wish his controversial life on anybody as he shed light on his career during an emotional sit down with Andre Ward.
Tyson is gearing up for his return to the ring against YouTuber Jake Paul on November 15 in Texas, with the contentious bout set to be aired on Netflix, though there has been concern that he could be hurt against a man 30 years his junior.
The 58-year-old has rarely stayed out of the headlines during his career as a boxer – even after hanging up his gloves in 2005 – infamously being disqualified for biting the ear of Evander Holyfield in their heavyweight title fight in 1997.
Earlier in his life he had served three years in prison after a rape charge and has also found himself in hot water with the law over drug usage – revealing this year he was a “junkie” and previously admitted he had smoked weed before his exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr in 2020.
After Ward asked Tyson if his high profile life was “too much”, he the former world champion looked emotional with tears in his eyes. He said: “I don’t wish that on anyone. I don’t wish my life on no one. As a whole, yeah.”
Ward then asked if he wanted to be famous, with Tyson responding: “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.”
Many fans and boxing pundits are concerned about Tyson ahead of his fight against Paul given the age gap and recent fears about the veterans health – after the first bout was cancelled due to Iron Mike suffering dizziness and nausea on a flight.
But the iconic fighter has dispelled fears about his age going into the Paul showdown, saying: “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 and Paul will fight at the AT&T Stadium, with knockouts set to be allowed and the contest featuring a maximum of eight two-minute rounds. Both fighters will wear 14oz gloves.
