The Unpredictable Return of Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson, often heralded as one of the most formidable and controversial figures in boxing history, is no stranger to the art of promotion. At the age of 58, well beyond his prime athletic years, Tyson has managed to stir curiosity and intrigue with the announcement of his upcoming boxing match against YouTuber Jake Paul. In a recent conversation with Interview magazine, Tyson revealed a rather unusual source of inspiration for his return to the ring: a divine encounter he claims to have experienced while under the influence of toad venom.

“You rub it down until it becomes fine sand, and then you smoke it,” Tyson explained, describing the process of preparing a substance derived from the Sonoran Desert toad. He elaborated on this experience, stating, “Then you meet God. And this is what God told me to do.”

Tyson, a former heavyweight champion, has not participated in a professional bout since 2005. However, he is set to face Paul, who is 27 years old, in a live spectacle on Netflix this Friday. The event is being promoted with a behind-the-scenes documentary series, capitalizing on the massive popularity of Paul’s YouTube channel, which boasts over 20 million subscribers.

Yet, it’s Tyson’s own flair for generating publicity that truly sets him apart. During his discussion with actress and boxing enthusiast Rosie Perez, he recounted his first encounter with toad venom about seven years ago, facilitated by a shaman. While Tyson did not claim to have seen God directly, he expressed that he felt an unmistakable presence.

“That I’m nothing,” Tyson reflected, “but I’m everything.” This profound realization led him to articulate what he described as a “spiritual death,” an experience that seems to have profoundly impacted his perspective on life and his career.