Mike Tyson has explained why he repeatedly bit down on his boxing gloves during his comeback fight against Jake Paul, revealing that it is simply a personal habit he refers to as a “biting fixation.”
The 58-year-old boxing legend made his first professional fight appearance in 19 years on a high-profile night in Dallas. But despite his best efforts, Tyson was defeated by the 27-year-old YouTube star. Paul won the bout on the judges’ scorecards, with two judges scoring it 80-72 and the third at 79-73.
The fight, which Netflix streamed live, experienced technical issues, with streams crashing and fans leaving mid-event due to the one-sided nature of the contest. Tyson, visibly struggling with age and a knee-injury, was unable to match Paul’s pace and failed to land significant punches.
In the post-fight interview, renowned announcer Ariel Helwani questioned Tyson about his unusual glove-biting behavior, wondering if it was due to a mouthpiece issue. Tyson responded with a chuckle, explaining: “I have a habit of biting my gloves when I fight,” adding, “I have a biting fixation.”
Despite his clear physical limitations during the fight, Tyson expressed contentment with his performance. “I am happy, I knew he was a good fighter, I knew he was prepared,” Tyson said. “I didn’t prove anything to anybody, only to myself, I am just happy with what I can do.” He also acknowledged Paul’s skill, calling him a “very good fighter.”
Jake Paul, speaking after the fight, showed respect for Tyson, calling him an icon. “Mike Tyson, it’s such an honor. Let’s give it up for Mike, the greatest to ever do it,” Paul said. “We wouldn’t be here without him. It was a really tough fight. I expected it to be.”
While Tyson’s famous knockout power was absent on the night, and the bout saw many fans leave early. The mutual respect between the two fighters was evident, with Paul acknowledging the legendary status of his opponent.
Although Tyson’s comeback may not have gone as planned, his sense of humor and humility in the ring spoke volumes about his continued love for the sport, even in the face of adversity.
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