Tyson faced Roy Jones Jr in California in November 2020.
Mike Tyson admitted using a psychedelic drug before his last exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr in November 2020.
‘Iron Mike’ is currently preparing to face Jake Paul in an exhibition fight, which will take place on July 20 in Arlington, Texas.
The bout will be shown on Netflix as part of the streaming giant’s first-ever live boxing card, and is anticipated to be one of the most-watched fights in the modern boxing era.
On Wednesday, the 58-year-old confirmed that the bout would indeed be an exhibition amid much fan speculation and discussion – but that the other rules involved would essentially deem it to be a ‘fight’.
It will be Tyson’s first appearance in the ring since coming out of retirement to face old rival Jones Jr in November 2020.
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The bout, which was scored by the WBC, ended in a split decision after eight rounds, and saw Tyson compete for the first time since his 2006 defeat to Kevin McBride which resulted in his retirement from professional boxing.
In an appearance on ‘The Pivot’ podcast in 2022, Tyson admitted that he had used psychedelic drugs before the fight.
He said: “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 s**t. You saw me just fight [against Jones]. I was on shrooms.”
He added: “I wish I did this s**t during my career. I’m so f***ing mad I didn’t know about this s**t. The word drugs is negative.”
When asked about whether his drug advocacy was at times self-medication for other issues, he said: “We don’t use [mushrooms] to run away.”
As per the Daily Mail, psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in the drug, is not illegal in combat sports.
And both Tyson and Jones Jr had to pass pre-fight drug tests with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) ahead of the fight, as well as a drug-testing program administered by VADA. They also both passed their fight night drugs tests with clear samples,
Tyson previously admitted that he smoked cannabis before the fight – but VADA also do not test for cannabinoids, and the use of marijuana, both medicinally and recreationally, is legalised in California – the state that the fight took place in.
