Current:Home > InvestMike Tyson explains why he's given up sex and marijuana before Jake Paul bout on July 20 -AssetLink
Mike Tyson explains why he's given up sex and marijuana before Jake Paul bout on July 20
View
Date:2025-04-16 18:27:33
Mike Tyson says he’s given up more than marijuana while preparing for his fight against Jake Paul.
The former heavyweight champion also said he’s given up sex.
"Two and a half weeks I haven’t smoked," Tyson said during an interview on The Damon Elliott Show. "And I haven’t had sex for 2½ weeks."
A video of the undated interview was posted on YouTube on Saturday.
In an videotaped interview with Forbes Life, Tyson said it'd been even longer – “probably for six weeks I haven’t gotten high or had sex."
Tyson, 57, told Forbes his giving up marijuana and sex is connected with discipline as he prepares to face Paul, 27, in a bout scheduled for July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
"I’m living my life disciplined now, so I’m going to have to fight disciplined now," he said.
Tyson, during a 2018 TV interview, said he’d abstained from sex for about five years, apparently because he believed it would make him a better boxer.
"I'm an idiot, you know," he told Graham Bensinger during the interview back then. "… I just went by what people told me."
Tyson’s publicist told USA TODAY Sports the boxer was giving up marijuana to comply with rules in the fight with Paul. Marijuana is on the list of banned substances enforced by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which oversees combat sports in Texas.
Mike Tyson disrobes – from waist up
During his professional boxing career, Tyson was well known for wearing black trunks. More recently, he’s gaining attention for what he's not wearing.
In March, a week after his fight with Paul was announced, Tyson was shirtless and hurling a medicine ball against the ground in a video posted on his Instagram account. Earlier this month, photos of Tyson shirtless at a memorabilia show were posted on his Instagram account.
The caption on one of those photos read: "Yes I did go shirtless, to show you what you’re betting on."
The phenomenon continued during his interview on The Damon Elliott Show. This time Tyson blamed the lack of air conditioning as he took off his shirt – and took pride in his physique.
"It’s just an unbelievable situation at this particular moment," the boxer said with a smile. "Mike Tyson at 58 looks like an Adonis superstar."
Tyson will turn 58 on June 30.
Mike Tyson says friends, family a problem
The interview with Damon Elliott took an unexpected turn when Tyson was asked if preparing for the fight is nerve-wracking.
"No," Tyson replied, "I said, 'Wow, how many friends am I going to lose or family members are going to turn on me now?'"
Because they all want the freebies, Elliott asked.
"No, they get them anyway, but they’re still going to hate me anyway," Tyson said. "I’m going to give them everything and they’re still going to say, '(expletive) you. I hate you.'"
"I can handle my enemies," Tyson continued. "But, God, please protect me from my family and friends. I can handle my enemies. Enemies are no problem. I just got my family and my friends that are just kinda a small complication."
Tyson suggested the problem stemmed from his being in the spotlight.
"It’s always been shining on me," he said. "The darker I was, the more it shined."
veryGood! (29)
Related
- Boy who wandered away from his 5th birthday party found dead in canal, police say
- More than 800,000 student loan borrowers are getting billions of dollars in debt forgiveness this week
- Illnois will provide burial for migrant toddler who died on bus
- What to know about Team USA in the FIBA World Cup: Schedule, format, roster and more
- British swimmer Adam Peaty: There are worms in the food at Paris Olympic Village
- Mark Meadows wants Fulton County charges moved to federal court
- A former fundraiser for Rep. George Santos has been charged with wire fraud and identity theft
- The EPA is rejecting calls for tougher regulation of big livestock farms. It’s promising more study
- Mega Millions winning numbers for August 6 drawing: Jackpot climbs to $398 million
- A viral video of a swarm of sharks in the Gulf of Mexico prompts question: Is this normal? Here's what an expert says.
Ranking
- What polling shows about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’ new running mate
- The CDC works to overhaul lab operations after COVID test flop
- Armed Utah man shot by FBI last week carried AR-15 in 2018 police encounter, records show
- Buffalo shooting survivors say social media companies and a body armor maker enabled the killer
- Giants, Lions fined $200K for fights in training camp joint practices
- Flush With the Promise of Tax Credits, Clean Energy Projects Are Booming in Texas
- Heat bakes Pacific Northwest and continues in the South, Louisiana declares emergency
- Florida Woman Allegedly Poured Mountain Dew on Herself to Hide Evidence After Murdering Roommate
Recommendation
US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
As many as 1,000 migrants arrive in New York City each day. One challenge is keeping them fed.
Intel calls off $5.4b Tower deal after failing to obtain regulatory approvals
The number of electric vehicle charging stations has grown. But drivers are dissatisfied.
Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
Chick-fil-A debuting new Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich, Caramel Crumble milkshake
Inside Rumer Willis' New Life as Mom
GA indictment poses distinctive perils for Trump, identifying bodies in Maui: 5 Things podcast