Washington: In a highly anticipated interview with People magazine, boxing legend Mike Tyson openly discussed his emotional and physical journey after his recent comeback fight, which attracted over 108 million viewers on Netflix, making it the most-streamed athletic event in history. The fight, which took place on November 15, was Tyson’s first return to the ring in over 20 years and was against social media sensation Jake Paul.
Tyson revealed the emotional aftermath of the fight, acknowledging that he went through a depressive episode. “That fight was such a big ascent, we were so up and high, we were so excited,” he said. “And then the fight’s over, boom. My goodness, I feel a little down. We must return to our lives. We spent nine months preparing for it.”
Originally scheduled for July 2024, the fight was delayed due to Tyson’s health scare—he had a potentially fatal ulcer. Despite the setback, the fight went ahead in November and captivated a global audience, cementing its status as a landmark streaming event.
Tyson also opened up about his hazy memory of the bout. “I kind of blanked out a little; I don’t remember the fight that much,” he confessed. He recalled coming back from the first round and seeing Jake Paul perform some kind of gesture in the ring, which was the last thing he remembered.
After the fight, Tyson admitted he questioned his decision to return to boxing. “I asked my wife, ‘Why did I do that?’ when I woke up the next day,” he shared. “I just don’t understand what the hell was happening.”
Physically, Tyson experienced significant discomfort post-fight. “My body was really sore—my chest, my stomach was really sore,” he said, though he laughed off the lighter moments that followed, including an incident where his naked behind was exposed. “TV has changed a lot. That turned into a major event. That is just absurd. It doesn’t matter. My butt has always been visible, and I’ve been that way my whole career,” Tyson joked.
Tyson’s introspective comments shed light on the toll the fight took on him both physically and mentally, offering a rare glimpse into the emotional weight of his return to the sport.
