MIKE TYSON is so worried about being loved that his wife thinks he would “kill himself” if a fan didn’t say hi to him in the street.
The heavyweight legend has battled depression as well as drug and alcohol addiction during his illustrious career.
Lakiha Spicer is Mike Tyson’s third wifeCredit: Getty Images
Some of the lowest points of his life came after his retirement in 2005 as his debts spiralled.
Tyson, who was crowned the youngest heavyweight champ at the age of 20, has always had an army of fans who have supported him throughout his turbulent career.
But he openly revealed how he struggled to deal with the public’s perception of him.
Speaking to Charlie Mack, Tyson said: “I’m going to tell you something that my wife doesn’t like.
“My wife said ‘if you went out there and no one says hi you might commit suicide’.
“All my life I wanted to be acknowledged, I’d kill myself to be acknowledged. In order to live you have to kill yourself.”
Tyson, 53, has previously spoken about how he could have committed suicide without third wife Lakiha Spicer.
Iron Mike admitted he needs to be married and without a wife he’s a “savage animal”.
He told rapper TI on ExpediTIously: “Without my wife, I’m a savage animal… I look at women differently as I get older.
“When I was younger, I viewed them as pleasure. Now that I’m older, I look at them as the half.
“It makes me realise that I’m a man. And at this stage in my life, they’re my teachers.
“If a man doesn’t have a little bit of fear of his wife, he’s not living his life right.”
The highs of Tyson’s career were met by severe lows after his retiredCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Tyson went on to say his need to be married is the reason he went down the aisle for a third time.
The boxing legend continued: “That’s why I got married three times… because I can’t live without a wife.
“If I don’t have a wife, I’ll kill myself. That’s real talk.
“I need somebody to listen to. I’m a soldier. I can’t think on my own, I need somebody to do it… I know myself.”
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
