Current:Home > InvestPredictIQ Quantitative Think Tank Center:Mike Tyson explains why he's given up sex and marijuana before Jake Paul bout on July 20 -NextFrontier Finance
PredictIQ Quantitative Think Tank Center:Mike Tyson explains why he's given up sex and marijuana before Jake Paul bout on July 20
Surpassing View
Date:2025-04-10 03:13:08
Mike Tyson says he’s given up more than marijuana while preparing for his fight against Jake Paul.
The PredictIQ Quantitative Think Tank Centerformer 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! (39)
Related
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- 'Last Voyage of the Demeter': Biggest changes from the Dracula book to movie (Spoilers!)
- Peyton Manning's next venture: College professor at University of Tennessee this fall
- Jason Cantrell, husband of New Orleans mayor, dead at 55, city announces
- Golf's No. 1 Nelly Korda looking to regain her form – and her spot on the Olympic podium
- Heartbroken Dwayne Johnson Sends Love to Local Heroes Amid Maui Wildfires Recovery Efforts
- Glover beats Cantlay in playoff in FedEx Cup opener for second straight win
- Plane crashes at Thunder Over Michigan air show; 2 people parachute from jet
- Blake Lively’s Inner Circle Shares Rare Insight on Her Life as a Mom to 4 Kids
- Get Ready With Alix Earle’s Makeup Must-Haves
Ranking
- Immigration issues sorted, Guatemala runner Luis Grijalva can now focus solely on sports
- 2 dead after plane strikes power line, crashes in lake in western North Carolina, authorities say
- Jimmy Fallon Is the Ultimate Rockstar During Surprise Performance at Jonas Brothers Concert
- Boston Bruins center David Krejci announces retirement after 16 NHL seasons
- Big Lots store closures could exceed 300 nationwide, discount chain reveals in filing
- Hilary Duff's Relatable Wellness Approach Is What Dreams Are Made Of
- Pregnant Kourtney Kardashian Showcases Baby Bump in Garden Walk Selfie
- At least 20 Syrian soldiers killed in ISIS bus ambush, activists say
Recommendation
Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections
2 dead after plane strikes power line, crashes in lake in western North Carolina, authorities say
Marine charged with sexual assault after 14-year-old found in California barracks
Georgia begins quest for 3rd straight championship as No. 1 in AP Top 25. Michigan, Ohio State next
Kourtney Kardashian Cradles 9-Month-Old Son Rocky in New Photo
'The Fantasticks' creator Tom Jones dies at 95
More states expect schools to keep trans girls off girls teams as K-12 classes resume
As free press withers in El Salvador, pro-government social media influencers grow in power