Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has made a shocking admission ahead of his upcoming fight with Jake Paul, revealing he considers himself a "junkie".
Speaking on a podcast, Tyson said, "I was born an addict. I'm a junkie. So, that's just how I was born."
The 58-year-old boxer openly discussed his history of substance use, including marijuana and mushrooms.
He stated, "I smoked weed all my life," and admitted to using mushrooms recently.
Tyson's candid revelations come less than two months before his controversial bout with 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, scheduled for 15 November in Arlington, Texas.
Despite concerns about his age and health, Tyson is undertaking an intense training regime for the fight.
Mike Tyson has admitted he is a junkie but has laid off the drugs
YouTube
He revealed, "I start at 11am and I might leave the gym at 5pm. There's a small break and then I go straight into strength and conditioning."
The match has drawn controversy due to the 31-year age gap between the fighters, which is the largest in professional boxing history.
The bout was initially scheduled for earlier this summer but was postponed after Tyson suffered from an inflamed ulcer.
The fight will take place at the AT&T Stadium, with a capacity for up to 90,000 fans.
Tyson's confidence remains high despite the age difference. When asked if he would beat Paul, he bluntly replied: "Very badly."
The former champion also reminded viewers of his role in Paul's boxing career, stating, "I started Jake Paul off.
"On my fight with Roy Jones, I allowed him to fight on the card. I decided I started him and I'm gonna finish him."
Both fighters will undergo drug testing before the match. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation confirmed: "Contestants who fight in Texas are subject to random drug testing.
"Combatants over the age of 36 are also required to pass an EKG and an EEG."
Tyson's use of psychedelic drugs during training has raised eyebrows.
He previously admitted to using mushrooms whilst preparing for fights, stating, "I have to take them when I train, I always train with my mushrooms."
Mike Tyson has not fought a professional fight since 2005
YouTube
He added, "I feel so beautiful, it takes me to heaven, baby."
Despite these admissions, Tyson claims to have recently abstained from some substances.
He said, "I'm cool now, probably two weeks or so without smoking."
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Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will fight it out on November 15
Getty
The upcoming match will be Tyson's first professional fight since 2005, when he retired after losing to Kevin McBride.
His last bout was an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr in 2020.