An interview with a US late night talk show host could derail Mike Tyson’s fight with Jake Paul after the former champ said it’s a “possibility” he might be drug affected for the bout.
Since the 58-year-old former undisputed heavyweight champion returned to training after pulling out of the August date with an ulcer problem, Tyson has made some admissions that has many in the boxing world doubtful the bout with Paul will take place.
Tyson recently revealed that he struggled to walk after completing six rounds of sparring, raising further concern about his health.
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And during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the popular late night host asked Tyson if he will be “high” for the fight.
He responded: “I’m going to be so high off life, yeah.”
Pressed further by Kimmel about possible marijuana use, the boxing legend said: “That’s a possibility, too.”
The bout with Paul is a sanctioned fight which means Tyson could be banned from competing by the Texas Athletic Commission if he tests positive for marijuana.
The drug is on the sanctioning body’s list of prohibited substances.
According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR): “If either combatant were to test positive for a banned substance, we would open a complaint, put them on a 90-day suspension and if the combatant were the winner, the decision would be changed to a no-decision because of a rules violation.”
Tyson admitted to smoking the drug and micro-dosing on magic mushrooms to aid recovery between sessions before his last fight with Roy Jones Jr.
He told The Pivot podcast in 2022: “We don’t use [mushrooms] to run away. It helps me train, it helps me box better.
“When I’m fighting, I really don’t feel the punches. It’s really just some f–ing magical shit. You saw me just fight [against Jones]. I was on shrooms.
“I wouldn’t fight without them, are you crazy? And some weed. I wish I did this shit during my career, I’m so f—ng mad I didn’t know about this shit. The word drugs is negative.'”
Tyson has said in the past he turned to psychedelics after his infamous fight with Evander Holyfield in 1996. Several former athletes dealing with concussion issues have also spoken of the benefits of the psilocybin.
“Everyone thought I was crazy, I bit this guy’s ear off,” Tyson told Reuters in 2022.
“I did all this stuff, and once I got introduced to the shrooms … my whole life changed.”
He added: “To think where I was – almost suicidal – to this now. Isn’t life a trip, man? It’s amazing medicine, and people don’t look at it from that perspective.
“I believe this is good for the world.
“If you put 10 people in a room that don’t like each other and give them some psychedelics, they’ll be taking pictures with each other.
“Put 10 people in a room who don’t like each other and give them some liquor, and they’ll be shooting everybody. That’s real talk.”
“It needs to be open to the world.”
And Tyson has followed through, with the former champion going into business to deliver what he says will make it easier for his fans to cultivate mushrooms at home through his “Mikeadelics” mushroom growing kit.
This follows his venture with former rival Holyfield in launching cannabis gummies in the shape of Holyfield’s half bitten ear.