Mike Tyson reveals crucial element behind boxing return as final legendary opponent eyed

0Mike Tyson hopes to return to the ring once again following his 2024 fight against Jake Paul -Credit:Getty Images (Getty Images)EXCLUSIVE: Mike Tyson spoke to The Mirror U.S. about the importance of diet as he fuels his latest boxing comeback with a fight against Floyd Mayweather reportedly on the tableMike Tyson is a sporting legend. Yet even at age 60, Tyson is adamant that he is not done.

‘Iron Mike’ emerged from retirement to battle Jake Paul in November 2024, with the clash broadcast live on Netflix. The former heavyweight champion earned approximately $20 million for the encounter, but insisted his stunning decision to return to the ring wasn't motivated by money.

But who is left for him? Tyson has fought champions like Michael Spinks, Evander Holyfield, and Lennox Lewis over his career. The list of realistic fights for Tyson at this stage in his career and life is dwindling, but he has his hopes set on one more blockbuster fight before calling time on fighting for good.

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There’s only one name that is big enough to stand alongside his own: Floyd Mayweather.

Mayweather has also participated in multiple contests since hanging up his gloves professionally, and has similarly taken on social media stars, entering the ring against Paul's sibling, Logan. Mayweather’s record stands at a perfect 50-0 and has declined to risk perfection when accepting bouts since his retirement. But a lucrative clash against Tyson might prove to be too tempting to turn down.

“Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather would be an awesome spectacle,” Tyson told The Mirror U.S. at Sugar Factory NYC in Times Square. “It would be great from the entertainment perspective of boxing.

“Floyd is an all-time great. But he challenged me, and I’m ready to get back in the ring for that kind of contest against that caliber of opponent. He’s a legend, and I really do think that would be something special that would top the Jake Paul fight.”

Tyson then got serious for a second, adding: “We're going to set a record and do things no one has ever done before.”

Tyson has stated that his comebacks are motivated by the challenge, the thrill of performing, and the desire to test himself physically, despite past injuries and age. To fight Paul, he had to undergo a grueling training regimen that mirrored the intense discipline of his prime years.

For the 60-year-old, diet is key to keeping him in shape and athletic, even at his age. “I used to be a drastic eater,” Tyson continued. “Every fight, I was engorging- I probably gained 60 pounds. Then I learned to take care of myself by eating food that burns fat. But it took me a long time.

“When you're young, you can always burn fat. You have a lot of energy, and your body breaks it down faster. I mean, in my heyday, I ate everything, and I burned it off because I was constantly working. I didn't have no time off. I had, what, four fights a year? One year, I fought 15 times. I didn’t have a chance to gain weight because I was constantly working. I just burned fat.

“But as I got older and I started fighting less, I started gaining weight. The weight truly got heavier. You have to take better care of yourself, and so that's why you have to eat properly. It’s so important, and it’s been crucial in my return to fighting.”

Once he is finally done with fighting, Tyson might have a career in public health and diet lined up. Earlier this year, he partnered with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy as part of the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, insisting the role was an honor.

“Of course, Robert F. Kennedy allowed me to be a general for health as part of the campaign to get real, healthy food around the country,” Tyson quipped. “Who doesn’t want to represent Uncle Sam?”