Mike Tyson‘s fight isn’t just in the ring anymore. But now, most of it is outside the ring. The 58-year-old legend has bested countless foes, even the ones within himself. Five months ago, the Brooklyn native opened up about his struggles with mental health, even in his late fifties. “I still have struggles with my mental well-being. But thankfully I have better tools. I’ve learned a lot over the years from being a former drug addict. I understand my triggers and why I self-sabotage,” he admitted to Loaded Magazine. A few days later, he stepped into the ring against Jake Paul. Though the fight itself was disappointing on many levels, Iron Mike showed everyone, including himself, that nothing is impossible when you have the discipline and the will to do it.
Now, the ‘Baddest Man On The Planet’ has a new mission: raising awareness for those battling mental health issues, like he himself did. He intends to keep the conversation around the struggle serious. And he also hopes that at least a few people can take inspiration from his life to not make the same mistakes as him.
Mike Tyson emphasizes facing your problems
In an interview with Men’s Health a few days ago, Mike Tyson offered a poignant perspective on mental health, focusing on how personal struggles reflect broader challenges faced by people worldwide. He started by debunking the myth that looking good equates feeling good. “If you look well and you feel well, you are well. But the two aren’t always mutually exclusive. It’s not about how you look, it’s how you feel,” he stated. The statement mirrors global reality as millions battle invisible mental health issues. According to WHO, 1 in 8 people lives with a mental disorder. However, can’t come out because of the stigma associated with it or a lack of support.
The 58-year-old, however, showed concerns that some exploit mental health as an excuse, which overshadows those genuinely struggling.“I’m a strong believer [in championing] mental health, but I also think that people use that as an excuse. [Some people have dealt with] mental abuse and must live with it for the rest of their life and guess what, some of it doesn’t get healed,” he stated. He stressed personal accountability, adding, “You have to want to deal with it, you have to look at your life and say, hey, my life is not getting any better,” he emphasized.
Remembering his childhood, the legend believes that he would have avoided crime even without boxing. “All my friends that I associated with were into a life a crime, but do I think I would have stayed on that path? I like to think that wasn’t my path, that if I hadn’t found boxing, I still would’ve done well,” he shared. He highlighted that despite coming from a similar environment, the struggles of a person can be completely different, leading them towards different paths in life. Factors like poverty or violence indeed shape mental health outcomes, yet resilience and support can help overcome them. Tyson found support in his coach, Cus D’Amato, and got his life back on track. Who knows the path he would have taken if not for that meeting, despite what he claims?
The Brooklyn native also addressed the stigma in society regarding men’s mental health. “I think men have talked about this for a lot longer than people gave them credit for. Society has given a name to it, but really it’s just sanity,” he concluded, reflecting on the mental struggles faced by humans for centuries. Depression affects 5% of the world’s adults (4% among men and 6% among women), according to the WHO, but cultural pressures discourage them from seeking help. Mike Tyson’s visible and invisible scars symbolize the struggles of millions.
This fight with our inner demons might be lifelong. Tyson is taking it as a challenge this time and can look back at his efforts with pride, and wants everyone to get the care they need. Thankfully, today, he is in a better place himself and is more focused on the less serious battles at hand.
Another battle for the legend
Despite an unexpected ulcer flare-up months earlier, the 58-year-old stepped into the ring against Jake Paul. It was indeed a disappointing outing. However, Tyson’s desire to have more fights after the bout confused the fans. Whether the 58-year-old will step back into the ring or not has plagued everyone.
During the Men’s Health interview, the interviewer asked him that exact question. Well, the answer might surprise you, but Mike Tyson is back to battling against his biggest foe. “The only person I’m fighting now is my accountant. Other than that, I’m just living life and I’m doing good right now,” he stated.
Well, the Brooklyn native had battled financial problems at the height of his career. Let’s just say he had trouble managing expenses and even had to declare bankruptcy in 2003. However, he is doing much better today, financially speaking, with a reported net worth of over $10 million. Moreover, according to a recent update, he has already splurged $13 million from his $20 million Jake Paul bout payout on a beautiful property in the Tierra del Rey Estates. Well, it is just Mike Tyson being himself. However, with hindsight and all his experience, he won’t let himself go completely like before.
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