- Tyson went the distance with Jake Paul in his first professional fight in 19 years
- Iron Mike lost by unanimous decision to the social media star, 31 years his junior
- The 58-year-old had to postpone the original fight date due to health concerns
Former two-time world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has admitted he is feeling ‘a bit depressed’ after his return to boxing against Jake Paul last month.
The 58-year-old was soundly defeated by Paul, who is 31 years his junior, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The event, which was streamed to 65 million people on Netflix, was Iron Mike’s first professional fight in 19 years.
Tyson’s return to the sport was highly controversial, with the boxing community left divided due to the age difference between the boxing legend and Paul.
While the once undisputed champion received a lucrative payday, his return to normality leaves him feeling melancholy.
“That fight was such a big climb – we were so high and high, we were so excited.” Tyson told FOX Sports Radio.
Mike Tyson has revealed he is feeling the effects of depression after his fight with Jake Paul
Tyson was on the wrong side of a decision against Paul at AT&T Stadium last month
The fight was Tyson’s first professional fight in almost twenty years and attracted 65 million viewers on streaming site Netflix.
“The fight’s over, boom. Wow, I’m a little depressed. We have to go back [into] our living situation [daily life]back to life. [We were] training for it 9 months.’
Paul and Tyson were scheduled to face each other in July, but the former world champion was forced to withdraw due to a stomach ulcer, causing the event to be postponed until November.
The 58-year-old’s health problems were cause for concern for boxing fans and experts alike before he suffered his seventh professional defeat to Paul.
After the collision, Tyson shared on social media his pride in returning from a supposed near-death scare to returning to the ring.
“This is one of those situations where you lost, but you still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets about stepping into the ring one last time.
‘I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. I lost half my blood and 25 pounds in the hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight, so I won.
“For my kids to see me stand toe-to-toe and finish eight rounds with a talented fighter half my age, in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy Stadium, is an experience no one has the right to ask for. Thank you.’
Before entering the ring, Tyson wasn’t shy about opening up about the events that left him wondering if he would survive.
Tyson, 58, was forced to postpone his original fight date with Paul due to health concerns
The former world heavyweight champion managed to overcome his fear of taking part in the controversial fight
Speaking to New York Magazine, Tyson explained: ‘I was in the bathroom throwing up blood. I asked the doctor, ‘Am I going to die?’ He said, ‘We have options.’
‘Options? I couldn’t believe it. I’ve had eight blood transfusions. The doctor said I lost half my blood. I almost died.
‘I lost 25 pounds in 11 days. Couldn’t eat. Liquids only. Every time I went to the toilet it smelled like tar. It didn’t even smell like shit anymore. It was disgusting.
‘It threw me off [when I continued training]. All my coordination, endurance, everything was hectic to get back. I was already at my peak. I could have fought him that day, now I had to start all over again. I just don’t give up. I’m a *** sometimes. I am advertisement***. If I have not outlived my enemies, I have turned them into my friends.”