Tyson ‘on the verge of dying’ from ongoing drug and alcohol addictions

Mike Tyson has revealed he has ongoing issues with drugs and alcohol, and claimed he is on the “verge of dying” from his addictions.

The former heavyweight champion broke down during a routine post-fight press conference at which he had been launching his career in boxing promotions.

It was an incredibly emotional admission which was sparked by Tyson discussing how he had made his peace with former trainer Ted Atlas.

“I want to live my sober life. I don’t want to die. I’m on the verge of dying, because I’m a vicious alcoholic,” the 47-year-old said as his voice cracked under the strain.

“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 thinks I was sober, but I’m not. This is my sixth day. I’m never gonna use again.”

The gathered press at the Verona, New York, venue stood and applauded as he made that final declaration, rounding off a brutally honest monologue which even he seemed surprised by.

“I’m a bad guy sometimes,” he admitted. “I did a lot of bad things, and I want to be forgiven. So in order for me to be forgiven, I hope they can forgive me. I want to change my life, I want to live a different life now.”

Tyson referred to his apology to Atlas, a trainer and mentor with whom he had fallen out in 1982, when Atlas put a gun to the fighter’s head after hearing Tyson had had inappropriate contact with his niece.

“Life is short; I made amends with everybody,” Tyson said.

“I have a lot of pain, and I just want to heal it, and that was part of it, right there.”

Atlas said: “He behaved like a man, what can I say? He came over, extended his hand and asked me if I’d shake it and said: ‘You’re not still mad at me, are you? I wish you wouldn’t be.’ I give him credit for showing a gentleman’s side.”