Current:Home > MarketsMike Tyson explains why he's given up sex and marijuana before Jake Paul bout on July 20 -MarketEdge
Mike Tyson explains why he's given up sex and marijuana before Jake Paul bout on July 20
View
Date:2025-04-17 22:25:48
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! (42)
Related
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Southern California city detects localized tuberculosis outbreak
- Judge says gun found in car of Myon Burrell, sentenced to life as teen, can be evidence in new case
- Employer who fired 78-year-old receptionist must now pay her $78,000
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Madeleine McCann’s Parents Share They're Still in Disbelief 17 Years After Disappearance
- Hawaii lawmakers wrap up session featuring tax cuts, zoning reform and help for fire-stricken Maui
- Could two wealthy, opinionated Thoroughbred owners reverse horse racing's decline?
- Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
- TikToker Isis Navarro Reyes Arrested After Allegedly Selling Misbranded Ozempic
Ranking
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Magic overcome Donovan Mitchell's 50-point game to even series with Cavs; Mavericks advance
- Arizona GOP wins state high court appeal of sanctions for 2020 election challenge
- Self-exiled Chinese businessman’s chief of staff pleads guilty weeks before trial
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- Tiffany Haddish Reveals the Surprising Way She's Confronting Online Trolls
- Nordstrom Rack is Heating Up With Swimsuit Deals Starting At $14
- Whoopi Goldberg Reveals Who She Wants to Inherit Her $60 Million Fortune
Recommendation
Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
Live updates: NYPD says officer fired gun on Columbia campus; NYU, New School protests cleared
Trevor Noah Reacts to Being Labeled Loser Over His Single Status at Age 40
United Methodists remove anti-gay language from their official teachings on societal issues
Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
Ex-government employee charged with falsely accusing co-workers of joining Capitol riot
Lewis Hamilton shares goal of winning eighth F1 title with local kids at Miami Grand Prix
Traffic snarled as workers begin removing bridge over I-95 following truck fire in Connecticut