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Mike Tyson Says He's Abstaining from Sex, Marijuana Ahead of Jake Paul Fight

Tyler Conway

Mike Tyson's upcoming fight against Jake Paul is now an officially sanctioned boxing match, and the former heavyweight champ is taking things seriously.

Tyson said he is abstaining from sex and marijuana as he prepares himself for a return to the ring.

"Right now, I'm living my life disciplined. It's been six weeks that I haven't gotten high or had sex," Tyson told Will Yakowicz of Forbes. "I haven't done that since I was a little kid.

"I hate not being able to smoke. But I'm doing it like I love it; I hate not being able to sleep with my wife, but I'm doing it like I love it."

Tyson joked to The Damon Elliott Show that he's an "idiot" when he doesn't smoke, but he wants to be in the best possible shape for the fight.

Tyson's last sanctioned fight was a unanimous decision loss to Kevin McBride in June 2005. He returned for an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020, a card that also featured Paul knocking out former NBA guard Nate Robinson.

The Robinson fight was just the second bout of Paul's career, and he's since become one of the biggest names in boxing. The social media star has racked up a 9-1 professional record and is coming off a first-round TKO of Ryan Bourland in March.

Tyson, even at age 57, will arguably be Paul's most difficult opponent yet. While Tyson is more than 30 years past his prime, he's one of the most accomplished boxers and fiercest power punchers in the sport's history.

The fact he's taking the fight seriously should worry Paul.

   

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