Tyson’s fentanyl confession sparks fresh fears ahead of Mayweather fight

Boxing icon Mike Tyson has admitted to using fentanyl “quite a few times” during the height of his career, a revelation that has reignited concerns about his health as he prepares for a highly controversial return to the ring against Floyd Mayweather at the age of 59.

Speaking on The Katie Miller Podcast, Tyson disclosed that he turned to the powerful opioid in the 1990s to cope with severe toe pain, comparing its withdrawal symptoms to those of heroin.

“It was a painkiller, and I used it to patch up my toe. Once it wore off, you start throwing up, just like heroin,” Tyson said.

The confession sheds new light on Tyson’s long and turbulent history with substance abuse. Over the years, the former heavyweight champion has admitted to struggling with drugs, alcohol, and sex addiction.

He once revealed he smoked marijuana and used cocaine before major fights and publicly acknowledged: “I was on the verge of dying because I was a vicious alcoholic.”

While Tyson insists he is now sober and has reinvented himself as a cannabis advocate pushing for nationwide legalization in the United States, his decision to step back into the ring has alarmed many fans and analysts.

READ ALSO: The Iron Legend: Mike Tyson (Part 1)

Tyson last fought in 2024, when he was handily defeated by YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, a bout that was marred by health concerns after Tyson suffered from an ulcer scare. That performance left many questioning his physical readiness, even before his latest admission.

The boxing community has reacted with disbelief and fear. Social media platforms have been flooded with warnings, with one fan bluntly posting: “Mike Tyson is gonna die in there.” Another asked: “Who watched Tyson look half dead fighting Jake Paul and thought this was a good idea?”

Despite the uproar, Tyson is pressing ahead with a money-spinning exhibition clash against Mayweather, scheduled for 2026.

However, medical experts and fans alike argue that the fight should never take place, citing his age, medical history, and now his fentanyl confession as red flags.

For many, the issue is no longer whether Tyson can win in the ring, but whether he can survive it.