What Mike Tyson Did Before His Fight

Mike Tyson, the legendary boxer, reportedly had a very unconventional pre-fight ritual that involved sex to “release his energy” before stepping into the ring. According to Rudy Gonzalez, Tyson’s close friend and former bodyguard, the former world champion would ask him to bring a group of women into the locker room for this purpose. Gonzalez shared this intimate detail in his book The Inner Ring, which is currently being adapted into an animated film.

Tyson’s Pre-Fight Ritual to ‘Release Energy’

Gonzalez revealed that Tyson was not only feared by his opponents but also by himself. “One of Tyson’s biggest secrets was his need for sex in the locker room before each fight,” Gonzalez said. “I had to find a group of women, anyone really. Mike would say, ‘If I don’t release, I’ll kill my opponent.’ He needed to release some of his energy, so I’d set up these encounters for him in the bathroom or the changing room. Sometimes he’d spend just a minute with them, then tell me his opponent was going to survive the night.”

This bizarre ritual was Tyson’s way of calming himself and releasing pent-up aggression before he entered the ring. Gonzalez also added that Tyson’s greatest fear was losing control during a fight. “His biggest fear was that he could actually kill someone in the ring. He knew he had the power to do it,” he said. “I’ve seen some of the guys Tyson fought, and I’ve witnessed them cry, hear their bones snap, and see blood everywhere. Tyson was like a freight train in there.”

Tyson’s Fear and Unmatched Power in the Ring

Tyson’s raw power and intimidating presence made him one of the most feared boxers in history. But behind his ferocity, he had a deep-seated fear of his own strength. Gonzalez’s comments shed light on Tyson’s mental state before matches, showing that his mind was often a battlefield as much as the ring.

Tyson’s Legendary Career and Historic Achievements

Rudy Gonzalez, who was a close confidant and security detail for Tyson, has had a front-row seat to the fighter’s meteoric rise. He witnessed Tyson’s undefeated amateur career and his groundbreaking moment in 1986, when at just 20 years old, Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history.

This historic achievement still stands, and November 22, 2024, marks the 37th anniversary of Tyson’s championship victory. Tyson dominated the heavyweight division from 1987 to 1990, becoming a household name.

A Career Marked by Glory and Controversy

Tyson’s career was not without its fair share of controversy. Known for his destructive power in the ring, he also became infamous for his actions outside of it, including the ear-biting incident during his 1997 fight with Evander Holyfield. In 1992, Tyson was convicted of rape and sentenced to six years in prison, but was released after serving just three years.

Throughout his tumultuous life, Tyson has experienced both the heights of glory and the depths of scandal. He has been married three times and has seven children.

A Boxer Like No Other

At 58 years old, Tyson remains a larger-than-life figure in the world of boxing, both for his remarkable skills in the ring and the controversial aspects of his personal life. His unorthodox pre-fight rituals, driven by the need to release his aggression, provide a glimpse into the mind of a boxer who feared his own power. Tyson’s legacy as a world champion and his place in boxing history remain undiminished, despite the many challenges he has faced.