Mike Tyson Discusses Past Struggles with Alcoholism and Self-Esteem

Mike Tyson Opens Up About His Troubled Past

Mike Tyson is currently making headlines for his newly released four-part Netflix docuseries, TYSON, which premiered on October 13, 2026. In the documentary, the former professional boxer revisited his troubled past.

During a recent interview with The Athletic, Mike Tyson admitted that he lived a dark life and grew up surrounded by poverty, drugs, and violence. Although he became the youngest heavyweight boxing champion in history and earned millions, his life also involved drug addiction, allegations of domestic violence, and a rape conviction. He also experienced the loss of his four-year-old daughter, Exodus, in a 2009 accident.

Reflecting on his life, Tyson stated: "I lived a dark life. I say dark things."