MIKE TYSON is set to go full circle and make a sensational return to boxing at the age of 53.
And it’s been some journey for the man who described himself as “the baddest man on the plant”.
Mike Tyson struggled with his weight after retiring from boxing, ballooning up to 27stCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But at the age of 53, Tyson says he is in the best shape of his lifeCredit: https://www.instagram.com/miketyson/
During his heyday in the heavyweight division Tyson became THE most feared fighter on the planet.
And hitting the scales at around 15st 4lbs of pure muscle during the peak of his career, many opponents were defeated before they even stepped into the ring.
He became the youngest-ever heavyweight champion at the age of 20 when he KO’d Trevor Berbick in 1986 and would go on to become undisputed king.
But with all the money and fame that came with being the most devastating finisher in the sport came downfall.
And it is one Tyson, born in the unforgiving Brooklyn neighbourhood of Brownsville, couldn’t avoid.
Mike Tyson became the youngest ever heavyweight champ when he destroyed Trevor BerbickCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Mike Tyson will go down as one of the best boxers of all timeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
In 1992 Tyson’s world came crashing down when he was jailed for rapeCredit: AFP – Getty
In 1992 he was convicted of the rape of then 18-year-old Desiree Washington and jailed for six years.
Tyson was released after three and returned to boxing, but was not the same fighter.
He has always insisted he is innocent and that it was consensual.
Tyson went on to have another 16 fights once out as a free man, winning the WBC and WBA belts along the way.
But it wasn’t without more controversy – none more so than when he bit a chunk out of Evander Holyfield’s ear in their 1997 rematch.
Tyson, 53, was disqualified in 1997 for biting a chunk of Holyfields ear offCredit: Sky
Tyson’s career would go on to peter out terribly – and not what any boxing fan wanted to seeCredit: Getty – Contributor
After retiring from boxing, Tyson ended up becoming a hit in Hollywood – but his weight remained an issueCredit: Getty Images
It saw Iron Mike disqualified and unable to avenge his KO loss to The Real Deal just over six months earlier.
He then lost his license and lost out on a £2.8million from the fight.
Tyson won it back over a year later, having another ten bouts before he quit the sport in 2005 after losing to journeyman Kevin McBride.
In 2003 Tyson was declared bankrupt with the New York Times reporting that he “squandered his fortune on jewellery, mansions, cars, limousines, mobile phones, parties, clothing, and motorcycles”.
He also shelled out cash to buy a TIGER and admits to paying a woman compensation of £230,000 when she alleged it bit her.
Mike Tyson starred in the hit 2009 film The Hangover – playing himselfCredit: Warner Bros
The self-described ‘baddest man on the planet’ also set up a cannabis empire
Without boxing, Tyson struggled, even admitting he didn’t think he would see out his 30s.
He would go on to admit he had a cocaine addiction, and spent more time behind bars as a result of it in 2007.
In 2009 he was handed a big break by playing himself in the hit film The Hangover.
But it was around this time that the ex-boxer began to seriously struggle with his weight – hitting 27st and being declared “clinically obese”.
He was also left devastated when his four-year-old daughter Exodus died in a freak accident at home.
It was then he decided to sort himself out and one of the first things he did was turn vegan.
Mike Tyson, at the age of 53, is looking fit and raring to goCredit: Instagram / @miketyson
Watch topless Mike Tyson, 53, show off blistering speed and power as he vows to return with spirit of Chinese dictator
Speaking to ABC News about the change in diet, Tyson said: “I was real carnivorous when I was training for fights – a lot of meat, cheese, bread.
“I devoured everything besides pork. I used to eat a lot.
“As I got older I didn’t like the way I was feeling. I had a lot of arthritis, joint problems and I was morbidly obese.
“My wife who was not my wife at the time, she changes her diet all the time. I says, ‘what is this you’re doing?’
“And she says, ‘I’m eating vegan for a month or two weeks.’
“Well, I said that’s what I’m going to do too, I want to do that. Cause I was just eating things without even figuring out what they are.”
Mike Tyson’ is training with Rafael Cordeiro, the Brazilian MMA ‘Master’ tasked with coaching 53-year-old ahead of comebackCredit: Refer to Caption
Mike Tyson now has plenty of reasons to continue winning at lifeCredit: Instagram
Tyson has battled depression throughout his life and career, admitting he used to “hate himself”.
But getting back to exercising, changing his diet as well as kicking his drug and alcohol addiction has seen him back on the straight and narrow.
And his growing cannabis empire- he already owns a ranch and is set to open a weed-themed theme park – is another thing that keeps mind and body active.
Iron Mike, who last fought professionally 15 years ago, has been stepping up his training in recent weeks.
And in a tale that comes full circle, the 53-year-old has admitted he is ready to return to boxing.
A trilogy match with fellow retiree Evander Holyfield, 57, is certainly gaining traction with Tyson’s rival set to make his own comeback for charity.
Tyson now weighs around 17st [240lb] having used time in lockdown to begin training again.
After the rockiest of times in and out of the boxing ring, you could say the “baddest man on the planet” is finally back fighting fit.
Watch Mike Tyson spar and wrestle his 39st TIGER in shocking scenes as wild cat plays with deflated basketball
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
