Mike Tyson, a legend in the boxing world, has opened up about a surprising aspect of his past: his use of fentanyl during his active career. In a recent interview, the 59-year-old shared that he used the potent opioid as a painkiller, initially unaware of its illegal status for professional athletes.
A Painkiller Past
Speaking on The Katie Miller Podcast about his journey as a cannabis entrepreneur, Tyson detailed his experience with fentanyl in the late 1990s. He explained that he used it to manage pain, particularly for a toe injury. “It was like heroin, once it wears off and you take the Band-Aid off, you start withdrawing, throwing up, just like if you were on heroin or something,” Tyson recalled.
Tyson admitted to using it “quite a few times.” He mentioned that a friend introduced it to him, and at the time, it was a relatively new substance that few had heard of. He believed it was simply a painkiller and didn’t realize it was a prohibited narcotic for athletes. He even suggested he would have continued using it if it had been permissible.
Understanding Fentanyl’s Potency
The DEA describes fentanyl as a powerful synthetic opioid, significantly more potent than heroin and morphine. Its use, even as a prescribed painkiller, carries substantial risks, and the CDC reported a high number of overdose deaths in the U.S. related to the drug in 2024.
This revelation adds another layer to Tyson’s well-documented history of battling substance abuse. In his autobiography, “The Undisputed Truth,” he openly discussed fighting under the influence of marijuana and cocaine, even admitting to being a “full-blown cokehead” during certain periods of his career. He also tested positive for marijuana before a fight in 2000.
A Look Back at Recent Events
Tyson recently made headlines for his exhibition match against Jake Paul in November 2024, where he was defeated by unanimous decision after 8 rounds. His candidness about past struggles, including his use of fentanyl, offers a raw look into the challenges faced by athletes both inside and outside the ring.
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