Mike Tyson ate unusual food combination before every fight to fuel legendary career

Mike Tyson left a lasting legacy of destruction during an illustrious professional career that included two separate world title reigns. ‘Iron Mike’ laid waste to his first 28 opponents and became the youngest world heavyweight champion of all time at the age of 20 years, 4 months, and 22 days old by flattening Trevor Berbick in 1986. Few could stand up on Tyson’s powerAFP He then unified the division one year later by battering Tony Tucker from pillar to post before dropping his undisputed crown to Buster Douglas in a shocking upset in 1990. Tyson had grown complacent due to the ease at which he had dealt with previous foes but he found his form in 1996 when he dispatched Frank Bruno in the third round to become world heavyweight champion once again. At his peak, Tyson was a picture of health yet he still indulged in a few sugary treats. Particularly, a specific food combination he would chow down on before every fight. Speaking about his diet during an interview with GQ in 2019, Tyson said: “When I was fighting, I ate a steak, some vegetables. “And right before, an hour or so before the fight, I would have a chocolate bar and orange juice – just to get a quick sugar rush before I go in the ring.” Tyson fought like he was having a sugar rush, so it is perhaps no surprise that he bumped up his glucose levels before walking out. The New Yorker possessed blistering hand speed and devastating punching power in equal measure and chased the stoppage like a man possessed. Of his 50 career wins (50-7), Tyson ended 44 inside the distance, including 24 in the first round. Former rival Evander Holyfield summed him up best: “He had the power to knock you out at any moment. GettyTyson flaunted a ripped physique in his prime but indulged in the odd chocolate bar[/caption] “He was like a dynamite stick waiting to explode.” Tyson eventually hung up his gloves in 2005 after being retired on his stool by unheralded Irishman Kevin McBride. Yet 19 years later, in one of the most shocking announcements in boxing history, Tyson revealed he was returning to the ring at the age of 58 to box YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. The ex-Disney star was 31 years Tyson’s junior and barely broke a sweat as he picked apart the boxing legend in a sad spectacle. Despite the seemingly undeniable expectation that it would be difficult to watch, fans flooded to Netflix in their masses. A remarkable 60 million households tuned in from home while a further 72,300 spectators packed out the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas to witness the action unfold first-hand. Follow talkBOXING on social media talkBOXING is now on Twitter and Facebook. Follow us on social media for big breaking boxing news, exclusive interviews and the best bits from our talkBOXING YouTube show. Like our Facebook page HERE Follow us on Twitter HERE Sign up for our WhatsApp channel HERE

Mar 21, 2025 - 14:53

Mike Tyson ate unusual food combination before every fight to fuel legendary career

Mike Tyson left a lasting legacy of destruction during an illustrious professional career that included two separate world title reigns.

‘Iron Mike’ laid waste to his first 28 opponents and became the youngest world heavyweight champion of all time at the age of 20 years, 4 months, and 22 days old by flattening Trevor Berbick in 1986.

He then unified the division one year later by battering Tony Tucker from pillar to post before dropping his undisputed crown to Buster Douglas in a shocking upset in 1990.

Tyson had grown complacent due to the ease at which he had dealt with previous foes but he found his form in 1996 when he dispatched Frank Bruno in the third round to become world heavyweight champion once again.

At his peak, Tyson was a picture of health yet he still indulged in a few sugary treats.

Particularly, a specific food combination he would chow down on before every fight.

Speaking about his diet during an interview with GQ in 2019, Tyson said: “When I was fighting, I ate a steak, some vegetables.

“And right before, an hour or so before the fight, I would have a chocolate bar and orange juice – just to get a quick sugar rush before I go in the ring.”

Tyson fought like he was having a sugar rush, so it is perhaps no surprise that he bumped up his glucose levels before walking out.

The New Yorker possessed blistering hand speed and devastating punching power in equal measure and chased the stoppage like a man possessed.

Of his 50 career wins (50-7), Tyson ended 44 inside the distance, including 24 in the first round.

Former rival Evander Holyfield summed him up best: “He had the power to knock you out at any moment.

Tyson flaunted a ripped physique in his prime but indulged in the odd chocolate bar[/caption]

“He was like a dynamite stick waiting to explode.”

Tyson eventually hung up his gloves in 2005 after being retired on his stool by unheralded Irishman Kevin McBride.

Yet 19 years later, in one of the most shocking announcements in boxing history, Tyson revealed he was returning to the ring at the age of 58 to box YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

The ex-Disney star was 31 years Tyson’s junior and barely broke a sweat as he picked apart the boxing legend in a sad spectacle.

Despite the seemingly undeniable expectation that it would be difficult to watch, fans flooded to Netflix in their masses.

A remarkable 60 million households tuned in from home while a further 72,300 spectators packed out the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas to witness the action unfold first-hand.