Current:Home > MyMike Tyson explains why he's given up sex and marijuana before Jake Paul bout on July 20 -Summit Capital Strategies
Mike Tyson explains why he's given up sex and marijuana before Jake Paul bout on July 20
View
Date:2025-04-13 09:17:50
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! (7251)
Related
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- Blinken sees goals largely unfulfilled in Mideast trip, even as Israel pledges to protect civilians
- America Ferrera Says It's Ridiculous How Her Body Was Perceived in Hollywood
- Michael Latt, advocate and consultant in Hollywood, dies in targeted home invasion
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- Illinois appeals court affirms actor Jussie Smollett’s convictions and jail sentence
- Ukrainian spy agency stages train explosions on a Russian railroad in Siberia, Ukrainian media say
- Dez Bryant came for ESPN’s Malika Andrews over Josh Giddey coverage. He missed the mark.
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Subway adding footlong cookie to menu in 2024: Here's where to try it for free this month
Ranking
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- What to know about the widening cantaloupe recall over deadly salmonella risks
- Former Memphis officer charged in Tyre Nichols’ death had some violations in prior prison guard job
- How Glee’s Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz’s New Project Will Honor Naya Rivera’s Voice
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- Dr. Phil Alum Bhad Bhabie Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby
- Cyprus and Chevron reach a deal to develop an offshore natural gas field, ending years of delays
- Astronomers discover rare sight: 6 planets orbiting star in 'pristine configuration'
Recommendation
Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
The director of Russia’s Mariinsky Theatre, Valery Gergiev, is also put in charge of the Bolshoi
Returns are so costly for retailers, some are telling customers to keep unwanted goods
As NFL reaches stretch run, here are five players who need to step up
Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
DeSantis says Florida GOP chair should resign amid rape allegation
Dak Prescott throws for 3 TDs, Cowboys extend home win streak to 14 with 41-35 win over Seahawks
Illinois appeals court affirms actor Jussie Smollett’s convictions and jail sentence