Mike Tyson, the 58-year-old boxing legend, has opened up about his feelings after losing his first fight in nearly 20 years to social media star Jake Paul. In a candid interview with Covino & Rich on Fox Sports, Tyson shared that he’s been feeling down following the loss, admitting that it left him feeling “depressed a little bit.”
When asked by the hosts about how he was handling the aftermath of the fight, Tyson explained, “That fight was such a big ascent — we were so up and high, we were so excited. The fight’s over, boom. Wow, I’m kind of depressed a little bit. We have to get back … to living. [We were] training for it nine months.”
Tyson’s bout with Paul marked his first return to the ring in 19 years, and it was a highly anticipated event, live-streamed on Netflix. The fight became a historic moment, with around 108 million viewers worldwide tuning in, making it the most-streamed sporting event in history.
Despite the massive attention and excitement surrounding the event, Tyson couldn’t shake the feeling of disappointment after the outcome. The fight, which took place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, had been originally scheduled for July but was delayed until November due to Tyson’s health scare involving an ulcer.
Although the event drew record-breaking viewership, Tyson’s emotional response after the loss reveals the weight of his comeback and the challenges he faced in returning to the ring after such a long hiatus. Tyson’s open acknowledgment of his feelings of depression serves as a reminder of the mental and emotional toll that comes with the high expectations and pressures of professional sports, even for a legendary figure like Tyson.
Despite the setback, Tyson’s journey continues, as he looks forward to moving forward and finding his way back to “living” after this intense and public experience.