Current:Home > reviewsMike Tyson explains why he's given up sex and marijuana before Jake Paul bout on July 20 -Wealth Legacy Solutions
Mike Tyson explains why he's given up sex and marijuana before Jake Paul bout on July 20
View
Date:2025-04-19 13:27:19
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! (356)
Related
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- I Used to Travel for a Living - Here Are 16 Travel Essentials That Are Always On My Packing List
- Utah House kills bill banning LGBTQ+ Pride flags and political views from classrooms
- What is leap day? Is 2024 a leap year? Everything you need to know about Feb. 29
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Ex-US Olympic fencer Ivan Lee arrested on forcible touching, sexual abuse, harassment charges
- Curb Your Enthusiasm Actor Richard Lewis Dead at 76
- West Virginia House OKs bill doctors say would eliminate care for most at-risk transgender youth
- JoJo Siwa reflects on Candace Cameron Bure feud: 'If I saw her, I would not say hi'
- Small business owners report growing optimism about the U.S. economy
Ranking
- Immigration issues sorted, Guatemala runner Luis Grijalva can now focus solely on sports
- Is it safe to eat leftover rice? Here's the truth, according to nutritionists.
- ‘Nobody Really Knows What You’re Supposed to Do’: Leaking, Abandoned Wells Wreak Havoc in West Texas
- Mitch McConnell stepping down as Senate GOP leader, ending historic 17-year run
- Man charged with murder in death of beloved Detroit-area neurosurgeon
- What is IVF? Explaining the procedure in Alabama's controversial Supreme Court ruling.
- Electronic Arts cutting about 5% of workforce with layoffs ongoing in gaming and tech sector
- Ferguson, Missouri, to pay $4.5 million to settle claims it illegally jailed thousands
Recommendation
Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
Yes, these 5 Oscar-nominated documentaries take on tough topics — watch them anyway
What we know about 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 4
Even without answers, Andy Reid finds his focus after Chiefs' Super Bowl parade shooting
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
Who might replace Mitch McConnell? An early look at the race for the next Senate GOP leader
Did the Gold or Silver Jewelry Test? 18 Pieces of Silver Jewelry You Can Shop Right Now
French Senate approves a bill to make abortion a constitutional right