Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight champion known for his tumultuous life and unforgettable career, is back under the spotlight. This time, it’s not just for his boxing skills but for some eyebrow-raising confessions, as he prepares for his upcoming bout against YouTuber Jake Paul. Scheduled for November 15 at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium, the fight promises to garner attention, not just for the clash of boxing styles but for Tyson’s candid revelations.
During his recent interview with actress Rosie Perez for Interview Magazine, Tyson opened up about the dark corners of his past. He made headlines with his startling admission about narrowly escaping serious health risks. Tyson reflected on his days filled with wild parties and risky behavior, including unprotected sex. "All my friends are dead. They OD'd, they had AIDS. Me and my friend both had sex with this girl at the same time and they both died of AIDS. I didn’t catch AIDS. Raw, too," Tyson said, highlighting the precariousness of his lifestyle.
Tyson, now 58, has often walked the fine line between life and death—a theme he touched on repeatedly during this conversation. At one point, he mused, "We only make it out on the day of our death." The sense of mortality has been prominent for Tyson, especially as he prepares for what he has claimed may be his final fight. "There’s no way I should be here talking to you right now," he continued, adding layers to his contemplation of death and his survival.
But it isn’t just the weight of his past decisions pressing down on him; Tyson has also experienced transformative moments. He described his connection with spirituality, particularly through the use of toad venom, which contains the psychedelic substance 5-MeO-DMT. This experience, guided by a shaman, pushed him to reassess his life and led him to decide to step back inside the boxing ring. "It changed everything for me," Tyson explained. "I met God, and this is what God told me to do." He smiled as he recalled the intense experience, stating, "You see a toad, you bust its puss, you put it on like a mirror, and it gets hard. You rub it down until it becomes fine sand, and then you smoke it." He went on to elaborate, "Well, listen. I was scared to death. Because I had a 'spiritual death'; I died. I've dealt with death to the closest magnitude I ever could. But once you go through the process, you realize dying is beautiful. How could death be bad and life be beautiful? It's a total contradiction."
This interplay of life and death seems woven throughout Tyson’s fabric—his experiences with past traumas and regrets shaping his present mindset. During the interview, he even likened the fleeting nature of life to Charles Manson's legacy, stating, "What do I care about my legacy? I never knew what a legacy was and people started throwing the word around so loosely. A legacy sounded like ego to me. I’m going to be dead soon. Who cares what somebody is going to think about me when I’m dead?" His nonchalance about legacy starkly contrasts with the environments of today's fighters, where the need to cultivate legacies often feels overwhelming.
The conversation between Perez and Tyson was not only enlightening but sparked wonder about his readiness to step back inside the ring against Jake Paul. Tyson, who last fought against Roy Jones Jr. during a much-publicized exhibition match, appears focused and determined. Ahead of the fight, Tyson confidently stated about Paul, "He’s got to be able to hit me to knock me out. And that's going to be hard. Do you know I got hit by animals? I got hit by monsters. He can’t hit harder than anyone I ever fought." It’s clear this match is not merely another foray back to the ring for Tyson; it’s also about proving he still has what it takes to compete with the younger generation.
Tyson’s powerful presence has stirred excitement among fans and opponents alike. He expressed gratitude for the support he has received and seems eager to transfer his new outlook onto the canvas of the boxing ring. "I want to die in the ring," he stated with conviction, reflecting the intense emotions flooding through him as he prepares for combat. Despite the challenges, he carries on the fight, not just with his opponents, but with the notions of survival and legacy haunting his thoughts.
Fans eagerly await the fight, with anticipation building as the date nears. It’s shaping up to be more than just another boxing match; it’s the stage for Tyson’s rebirth. Tyson fights not solely for glory but also as a means of catharsis, using the ring as a battlefield to reconcile with his past. Whether Tyson achieves victory or not, his resilience and candidness about life's unpredictability make him one of boxing's most intriguing figures, appealing to both old fans and new.
The fight will be streamed live on Netflix, making it accessible to many who want to witness this historic boxing return. Three title fights are also booked for the undercard, creating additional layers of interest for boxing enthusiasts.
