“I earned more money at 50 than I did at 20, and I only had four fights in my 50s.”
Mike Tyson explained on the US TV show “Today” what drives him to continue boxing. “I have a 14-year-old son, and my son asked me: ‘Why? Why are you doing this?”, reported the 59-year-old boxing idol. “For a moment, I didn’t know what to say. I was sad. I told him: ‘Because I’m the best there ever was in this sport. That’s why.’ He didn’t understand, but I told him, ‘I have to do it. It’s the only thing I can do’.”
Almost 500 million dollars squandered
In spring 2026, Tyson is set to face ring legend Floyd Mayweather in a show fight, and the contracts have already been signed. “Iron Mike” also emphasized the financial aspect: “I earned more money at 50 than I did at 20. And I only had four fights in my 50s. That’s very interesting. I’ll be 60 soon, the money means nothing to me. ”
The former heavyweight champion filed for bankruptcy in 2003 and, according to his own statements, squandered a fortune of almost 500 million dollars. Tyson led an extravagant lifestyle, which ultimately led to debts of over 23 million dollars.