Mike Tyson will go down as one of the greatest boxers ever. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Tyson was a global phenomenon and one of the most powerful punchers in the sport's history.

At just 20 years old, “Iron Mike” Tyson became the youngest boxer ever to win a heavyweight title after knocking out Trevor Berbrick. He was the first heavyweight boxer to hold the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles simultaneously and the only heavyweight to unify them in succession. He went on to have legendary fights with Larry Holmes, Micheal Spinks, James “Buster” Douglas, Evander Holyfield, and Lennox Lewis, to name a few.

Tyson was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame for his pugilistic exploits.

At 58, Tyson will return to the ring to face Jake “El Gallo” Paul in a highly-anticipated heavyweight boxing match. Airing live on Netflix, the bout will occur on Friday, November 15, 2024, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.

Tyson will also appear in “Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson,” a three-part follow-doc leading up to the heavyweight boxing mega-event. In an interview with BET.com, Tyson gave his take on the current state of professional boxing.

“I think boxing is pretty exciting today. You have a bunch of young kids in all weight classes who are really good,” Tyson said. The last five years have been awesome.”

“Looking at myself and I don't know I look at myself as a student from the grave. I look like a teacher.”

He also shared how he was inspired to get into shape to step back into the ring and why he decided to fight again.

“I'm in decent shape. I'm running well. I’m boxing good,” Tyson explained. “I'm not going against Tyson Fury so why not fight again?”

After nearly 40 years as a professional fighter, Tyson shared his keys to success in the “sweet science” and the life lessons he’s learned along the way.

“What I tell new boxers is that if you want to be the best in the world or the best at anything you have to be prepared for disappointment,” he explained. “If you can handle disappointment, you have the chance to succeed in life.”

Along with his boxing acumen, Tyson has built a thriving cannabis brand, Tyson 2.0. For this fight, however, Tyson said that he slowed down on the plant's recreational use as an act of discipline.

“That's just what I do. Weed is my religion and it’s a big part of my life. But I’m not using cannabis during this fight,” Tyson shared. “It’s not because I think it would hinder me but it's a sacrifice to show my discipline for the fight.”

Instead of an exhibition, the fight will go on each fighter’s record which raises the stakes even higher for the bout.

“Well, this is the fight that the promotion wanted.  Exhibition is a fight with a pretty word on it. That's all,” he said.

Another of Tyson’s hobbies is his love for pigeons. Over the years, he has raised hundreds of pigeons, which he says has been part of his self-care routine since he was a child. He explained how he keeps his birds all over the country.

“I might have around 500 pigeons. I have around 175 in California. I got probably 60 in New York. I have around 50 in Miami,” he said. “I have quite a few locations with pigeons. They come from all over the world and they’re accustomed to every climate.”

If he is victorious against Paul, Tyson said he would not hesitate to take on another fight and hopes to break the stigma surrounding age in professional sports.

“Absolutely yes,” Tyson responded.

Unlike when he was the undisputed champion,  Tyson now has enlisted professionals to help him recover physically and emotionally. He says that this has been a “game-changer” in his life,”

“Now, I get more therapy and I have more massages,” Tyson said.

As the showdown draws closer, Tyson is excited to show the world why he is still the “baddest man on the planet.”

“I predict a big-time victory. I'm gonna have fun and it's gonna be a good fight. I'm not looking to go in there upset. I'm not going in there savagely,” Tyson said. “I'm going to just go in and enjoy my work.”

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson goes down at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Friday, November 15, 2024, live on Netflix.