Drugs and alcohol have Mike Tyson up against the ropes as the former heavyweight champion fights for his life against addiction.
Tyson made the startling revelations about his substance abuse problems while plugging the first fight card under his Iron Mike Productions promoting venture.
“I’m on the verge of dying because I’m a vicious alcoholic,” Tyson told reporters at the Turning Stone Resort in New York, where Argenis Mendez retained his IBF junior lightweight title after battling to a 12-round draw with challenger Arash Usmanee.
Friday night’s main event, however, was overshadowed by Tyson’s press conference-turned-confessional from earlier in the day.
“I haven’t drank or took drugs in six days, and for me that’s a miracle. I’ve been lying to everybody else that think I was sober, but I’m not.
“This is my sixth day. I’m never gonna use again,” a choked up Tyson told the media, who gave him a standing ovation.
Tyson’s emotional testimonial came after discussing his attempts to reconcile with former trainer Teddy Atlas, who was working the fight as an announcer for ESPN. Tyson and Atlas had a well-documented falling-out in the early ’80s that reportedly included Atlas pulling a gun on the then 15-year-old Tyson after Mike he allegedly attacked a young girl who was related to Atlas’ wife
