Boxing legend Mike Tyson reveals the "killer" side of himself that will come out during his November match against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, but admits it's a side he fears and wishes didn't exist.
Boxing icon Mike Tyson has lifted the lid on a sinister side of himself that will unleash itself against Jake Paul in their highly anticipated November clash, but it's a side he loathes and fears.
The 58-year-old admitted on Jake Paul's brother Logan Paul's podcast that the "tough guy Mike Tyson" that emerges in him during moments of conflict often leads him to trouble.
Mike Tyson's Killer Side to Emerge in Jake Paul Fight
"When that tough guy Mike Tyson comes out when it's not necessary to come out, I'm always in handcuffs," Tyson said on "Impaulsive."
Tyson further elaborated on the dark side that haunts him, explaining that he wishes he could extinguish it but it remains an unyielding presence.
Mike Tyson's Killer Side to Emerge in Jake Paul Fight
"Unfortunately, I have to fight and be that guy," he said. "I wish I could stop that guy. That guy haunts me. I wish I could stop that guy. I wish that guy died, but he's here to stay."
Tyson's past struggles with law enforcement include multiple incidents involving drugs and driving under the influence. In 2006, he was arrested in Arizona on suspicion of DUI and felony drug possession, and later pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine.
Mike Tyson's Killer Side to Emerge in Jake Paul Fight
Tyson emphasized that the "killer" within himself can resurface with alarming ease. "That's a guy that's so easy... to come back," he said. However, he acknowledged that he needs to invoke that persona in the ring against Paul, whom he views as a formidable opponent.
"That's how I look at him," Tyson said of his future rival.
Tyson's appearance alongside Paul at Fanatics Fest for their Netflix fight press conference was marred by the postponement of the bout due to an ulcer issue. Originally scheduled for July, the fight will now take place on November 15 at AT&T Stadium.
Tyson's return to the ring against Paul will mark his first fight since 2005, and the bout will officially count towards his 50-6 career record, which boasts 44 knockouts.
Paul, meanwhile, stands at 10-1 with seven knockouts in his brief boxing career.
Despite his apprehension about unleashing his inner "killer," Tyson finds solace in the love of his family and the calming effects of cannabis. He credits his children and his post-boxing indulgence in cannabis for helping him suppress the darker aspects of his nature.
"I wish I could stop that guy," Tyson said of the violent impulses that plague him. "That guy haunts me. I wish I could stop that guy. I wish that guy died, but he's here to stay."
Yet, in the unforgiving realm of boxing, Tyson recognizes the necessity of embracing this dark side and channeling it against opponents like Jake Paul. As the November showdown draws near, Tyson's battle against the "killer" within himself will intertwine with his rivalry against the YouTube boxing sensation.
