Iron Mike ‘looking forward’ to death
Heavyweight boxing great Mike Tyson is embracing death because ‘‘living might be more complicated than dying to me’’.
The 53-year-old has delivered another of his left-field interviews discussing the mental anguish that has dogged a career highlighted by world dominance in the ring and controversy out of it.
Since his retirement from boxing he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
He told The Sportsman that he does not fear death because he knows the courage it takes to live.
‘‘From my experience, from what I believe, the more I know about not existing, the more willing I am to die,’’ he said.
‘‘Yeah [I look forward to it], I don’t fear it. Living might be more complicated than dying to me . . . because living takes a lot of courage.’’
Tyson, who spent three years in jail for rape amidst his heavyweight reign, enjoyed the riches that came with his boxing skills but brought perspective to that.
‘‘Without the courage, you can’t handle living. Living is a journey; living is a struggle. People have everything and they still can’t do it, they struggle.
‘‘We take ourselves too seriously; we think we’re somebody. Who the f..., we’re nothing! We come from s...; we think we’re special [but] fame is s ....
‘‘You find out you’re not [special]. You’re capable of going to jail, you’re capable of dying, you’re capable of being mistreated.’’
Now enjoying a life of comparative normality with his family, Tyson, once dubbed ‘‘the baddest man on the planet’’, feels he has been able to understand his circumstances.
‘‘I don’t really expect bad things to happen to me, but when they do happen to me, I understand it and I’m able to handle it,’’ he said.
‘‘I’ve handled bad stuff before, that’s been my life. I don’t trip over bad things, I know s... happens. When bad things happen, I will be still striving to do something. I won’t be discouraged.’’
He keeps a respectful distance from boxing, apart from his Hotboxin’ podcast and occasional ventures to fights, like being ringside for Tyson Fury’s recent WBC title win over Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas.
‘‘I don’t see nobody. I’m with my wife all the time! I’m with my family. That world is no longer part of my life. I’m more of a family man now. I do work with it, for example with my podcast, but it’s nothing like before.’’
He spoke of his admiration for Fury.
‘‘I like him a lot. I take pride that he’s named after me. I really appreciate that,’’ Tyson said.
‘‘I was really grateful and humbled when I first learned he was named after me.’’
He added that he was impressed with the big Brit’s fluid fighting style.