Mike Tyson discusses using hormone therapy, battling drug addiction and his mental health demons as he opens up in very candid Loaded interview ahead of his Jake Paul fight

Mike tyson has opened up about some of his most personal struggles, including drug addiction and mental health, in a wide-ranging interview with Loaded magazine.

The American boxing icon, 58, whose next fight is against YouTuber Jake Paul, also explained his use of testosterone therapy and the ‘misconceptions’ surrounding it.

Tyson explained that taking the hormone therapy benefits both his mental and physical health, while decrying the false narrative that men need to take testosterone because there is “something wrong with them.”

Speaking to the magazine, he said: ‘I think there is a misconception that when men use testosterone it is because there is something physically wrong with them.

‘But from the age of thirty, no matter how healthy you are, your testosterone level drops. Not only does this affect your physicality, it also affects your mood. Getting on a testosterone plan as you age should be as normal for a man as taking a daily supplement because it does so much to stabilize the body and mind.”

Elsewhere during the discussion, Tyson described how he used “better tools” to improve his mental health after overcoming drug addiction.

He said: ‘I still struggle with my mental wellbeing but luckily I have better tools. I have learned a lot over the years as a former drug addict. I understand my triggers and why I sabotage myself.

“When I’m honest with myself and do that self-inventory, I feel great. I think many people want to blame others for their problems, without realizing that they are part of their own story and that they can turn their lives around at any time. But that is only possible if you are honest with yourself about how you got to where you are now.’

The interview’s release comes just days after Mike admitted he wouldn’t want anyone to live the controversial life he does.

The former world heavyweight champion, who will face off at Paul Arlington’s AT&T Stadium on November 15, was once considered ‘the worst man in the world’.

The fight was originally scheduled for July, but Tyson suffered a medical emergency on a plane. A “flare-up of an ulcer” left Tyson feeling nauseous and dizzy before paramedics later came on board.

In an interview with the All Smoke Fight PodcastTyson was asked if his life had been ‘too much’ at times, with the former champion shedding tears as he responded.

He said, ‘I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. I don’t wish my life on anyone. As a whole, yes.’

Tyson also revealed that fame was a motivator for him, saying, “that’s why I trained so hard.” I was a nobody who wanted to be someone. I wanted it all. I wanted to be the greatest fighter in the history of life.”

Fans are concerned about the prospect of Tyson competing again at his age, but he clearly feels he still has what it takes to compete.

‘I don’t think I’m 58. You think I feel 58 when I fight these young n****** in the gym, and they bash me, their big strong mother***** **, and I bash them back.

“He should be the young man, I should be the old man, he’s going to run all… night? I think he should try it.

“He’s a younger man, he should be able to take punches from an old, wizened man like me. Listen, you can’t compare me to other people my age, because other people my age haven’t been training as long and consistently as I have.

‘I’m just a different kind of person, I guess because I’m very active in what I do. I don’t sit around and do nothing. It will be a beautiful evening, the city of Dallas will enjoy itself.”

Tyson’s journey has been colorful, to say the least. He was married three times and had seven children by three women.

His mother died when he was a teenager, he bit his opponent Evander Holyfield’s ear in 1997 and went to prison in his twenties.

“My whole life has been a waste – I’ve been a failure,” he told USA Today in 2005. ‘I just want to escape. I’m really ashamed of myself and my life.’ But he seems to have found peace now.

Ahead of the fight, Tyson revealed he is currently ulcer-free – and said his diet was to blame for his previous health problems.

“I was doing too much bad food and stuff and I got sick,” he told DailyMail.com exclusively.

Tyson said he was now avoiding processed foods and eating ‘clean’ ahead of his fight with Paul, who is 31 years his junior.

He also added that he was still vaping – “can’t escape the fumes,” he said.

The former undisputed world heavyweight champion was also asked how his fight with Paul could impact his legacy – although it is clear he is not concerned with the opinions being formed about him.

“I did not enter into this battle for inheritance,” he said. “I think legacy in my eyes is basically ego. Who cares what people think of them when they’re gone?

‘I’m dead. I don’t care what anyone might think of me when I’m dead, so it doesn’t mean anything to me.”

Paul, for his part, was also confident in the fight.

In September, he said he would give Tyson $5 million more if he lasted more than four rounds, but said Tyson would have to get “I love Jake Paul” tattooed on him if he didn’t reach that goal.

Paul, who rose to fame as a YouTuber, has won nine of his 10 professional bouts but only lost to Tommy Fury via split decision last year.