Mike Tyson has detailed the candid conversation he had with his wife on the morning after his unanimous decision defeat to Jake Paul.
In what was an anticlimactic contest at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul cruised to victory by two scores of 79-73 and a 80-72.
Tyson, meanwhile, looked unsteady and tired after round three. In fact, the two-time heavyweight champion has now admitted to “blanking out” throughout the controversial fight.
Speaking to Fox Sports Radio, Tyson said: “I don’t remember the fight that much, I kind of blanked out. I haven’t watched the fight.”
He added: “You know what I remember… coming back from the first round and Jake was doing some sort of bow… that’s the last thing I remember. I wasn’t tired, I wasn’t sweaty. I went to the house we were staying in, I left the house with my wife and kids, went to the after-party then went back.”
The 58-year-old, who landed just 18 punches throughout, went on to detail his chat with wife, Lakiha, on the morning of November 17.
“The day after I woke up and said to my wife, ‘why did I do that?’ I just don’t know what the hell was going on,” Tyson added.
Many expressed their concerns for Tyson’s welfare ahead of the bout, including undisputed and lineal world lightweight champion Katie Taylor.
“I obviously have me concerns about Mike Tyson, just because he’s a legend and I don’t want to see him get hurt or anything,” she said on Uncrowned’s “The Ariel Helwani Show.
“I think Jake Paul is a great athlete and he’s improving as a fighter as well. He’s a young fresh guy and I just have so much respect for Mike Tyson that I’d hate to see Mike losing to someone like that, to be quite honest.”
In the build-up to last month’s bout, Tyson played down concerns over his health but later claimed he “almost died” after his health scare.
“This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in the ring one last time,” he said. “I almost died in June. Had eight blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight, so I won.
“To have my children see me stand toe-to-toe and finish eight rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you.”
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