- Tyson went the distance with Jake Paul in his first professional fight in 19 years
- Iron Mike lost a unanimous decision to the social media star 31 years his junior.
- The 58-year-old had to postpone the original fight date due to a health issue.
Two-time world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has admitted he is feeling “a little down” following his boxing return against Jake Paul last month.
The 58-year-old was defeated by Paul, 31 years his junior, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The event, which was streamed to 65 million people on Netflix, was Iron Mike’s first professional fight in 19 years.
Tyson’s return to the sport was highly controversial, and the boxing community was divided due to the age difference between the boxing legend and Paul.
While the once undisputed champion received a lucrative payday, his return to normalcy has left him melancholy.
“That fight was a big rise: we were so high, we were so excited.” Tyson told FOX Sports Radio.
Mike Tyson has revealed that he feels the effects of depression after his fight with Jake Paul
Tyson came out on the wrong end of a decision against Paul at AT&T Stadium last month.
The fight was Tyson’s first professional fight in nearly 20 years and attracted 65 million viewers on the streaming site Netflix.
‘The fight is over, boom. Wow, I’m a little depressed. We have to return to our life situation (daily life), live again. (We were) training for it for 9 months.’
Paul and Tyson were due to meet in July, but the former world champion had to withdraw due to an ulcer, causing the event to be delayed until November.
The 58-year-old’s health scare was a cause of concern for boxing fans and pundits alike before he suffered his seventh professional loss to Paul.
After the clash, Tyson took to social media to share his pride in returning from an alleged near-death health scare to return to the ring.
‘This is one of those situations where you lost but you still win. I’m grateful for last night. I don’t regret getting into the ring for the last time.
‘I almost died in June. He had 8 blood transfusions. I lost half my blood and 25 pounds in the hospital and had to fight to get myself back together to fight, so I won.
‘For my children to see me go toe-to-toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboys stadium is an experience no man has the right to ask for. Thank you.’
Before entering the ring, Tyson was not shy about speaking openly about the events that left him wondering if he would survive.
Tyson, 58, was forced to postpone the original fight date with Paul due to health concerns.
The former world heavyweight champion managed to overcome the scare to participate in the controversial fight.
Speaking to New York Magazine, Tyson explained: “I was in the bathroom vomiting blood. I asked the doctor, ‘Am I going to die?’ He said, “We have options.”
‘Options? I couldn’t believe it. I had about eight blood transfusions. The doctor said I lost half of my blood. I almost died.
‘I lost 25 pounds in 11 days. I couldn’t eat. Liquids only. Every time I went to the bathroom I smelled like tar. It didn’t even smell like shit anymore. It was disgusting.
‘It baffled me (when I continued training). All my coordination, stamina, everything was shaken upon returning. It was already at its peak. I could have fought him that day, now I have to start from scratch. I just don’t give up. Sometimes I’m an idiot. I’m screwed. If I have not survived my enemies, I have made them my friends.’