Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has announced plans to get his entire face tattooed following his defeat against Jake Paul in their highly anticipated boxing match at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The bout, which was streamed globally on Netflix, saw the 58-year-old boxing legend lose to the 27-year-old social media star.
Despite the defeat, Tyson is set to take home an estimated £16million from the event, giving him ample resources for his mysterious new facial ink plans.
Speaking to The New York Post hours before the fight, Tyson revealed his tattoo plans: "I think I just want to do my face, my whole face."
When pressed about the design details, the boxing legend remained coy, stating: "I'm not going to tell you, but it's going to be interesting."
Tyson views facial tattoos as a form of self-expression, saying: "I think it's liberation.
Mike Tyson has revealed he plans on getting a full face tattoo
Reuters
"I don't care if somebody's not going to put me on their plane or let me on their yacht or anything. [The face tattoo] allows me to be me."
Following the fight at AT&T Stadium, Paul emerged victorious by accumulating more points against the former heavyweight champion.
Despite the loss, Tyson remained philosophical about his performance, stating: "I didn't prove nothing to anyone, just myself."
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When asked if this would be his final bout, Tyson responded: "I don't know.
"It depends on the situation. I don't think so."
The boxing legend went on to praise his opponent's performance, acknowledging Paul as a "good fighter."
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Tyson's existing facial tattoo, which he got in 2003, has become his distinctive trademark around his left eye and cheek.
In the two decades since Tyson shocked the public with his facial ink, such tattoos have become increasingly mainstream.
The former heavyweight champion noted his own reaction to seeing others with similar tattoos: "Sometimes I forget that I have one and I look at someone else and think, 'Wow that guy looks really crazy.'"
Mike Tyson got his iconic face tattoo in 2003
PA
Notable celebrities who have followed the trend include Post Malone, Jelly Roll, Cardi B and Justin Bieber.
The financial stakes of the match were significant, with Tyson's friend and former UFC champion Henry Cejudo revealing the boxing legend would earn £16 million from the event.
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Mike Tyson suffered the seventh defeat of his professional career on Friday night
Reuters
Paul had even higher financial aspirations, declaring at a news conference last August that he was "here to make $40 million and knock out a legend."
Tyson, however, dismissed the financial motivation, stating: "Money doesn't mean nothing. Money from this is not going to change my life. I'm living a great life."
