- Metro
VIVA – A boxing legend, Mike Tyson, talks about his time in prison as one of the lowest points in his life. He was at rock bottom. Although the experience seemed very bad for him, he said that he found inner peace while in prison.
While talking in The Pivot Podcast, the former boxer explained that during his prison sentences, he finally found inner peace amidst his crazy life.
"I am very grateful. I'm a good person, I treat everyone well. I had the best three years of my life in prison." Says Mike Tyson.
When asked if he missed his flashy lifestyle, the heavyweight champion replied: "I already have peace. It doesn't mean anything when you don't have peace. Just sit there in balance. You need your sanity to live every part of life."
Legenda tinju dunia, Mike Tyson
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Tyson was sentenced to six years at Plainfield Correctional Institution and four years’ probation after being found guilty of raping Desiree Washington in 1992. He was released in 1995 as his sentence was reduced to three years.
Tyson revealed that despite his imprisonment, he kept up a disciplined training routine to prepare himself for when he finally returned to the ring. He said he ran 'eight or nine miles' in his cell, and he kept jumping up and down at night.
"I was 129 kg (when I entered prison). And I came out weighing 97 kg," he added.
However, it wasn't all smooth sailing for the 56-year-old, as he revealed that he had extended his sentence by one year for assaulting a guard.
Earlier, on the Hotboxin podcast, he said that when he first came to the prison, he was mad at then he ended up fighting everyone there.
"I got an extra year. When I first came there, I was mad at everybody, I didn't know they all wanted to show me love, so I fought the guards and stuff, but then the guards told me how to behave." Mike Tyson stated.
"One guard who worked for me said, 'Listen, champ, remember when you first came here? You had a problem, we had to give you a year.' I said damn, how can they do this? I give them my money and they give me another year?" he continued.
"So, I had to follow a program that I could never get through, spelling and such."
However, Tyson's career did not go downhill, as he won four fights and even reclaimed the heavyweight championship after his release. But in 2005, 'Iron Mike' finally retired.
"I wanted to continue my career, but I saw that I was already defeated. I didn't have this (passion for boxing) in my heart anymore. I disrespected the sport by losing to a fighter of that caliber. This is my end." Mike Tyson concluded.
