‘Biting fixation’: Mike Tyson’s bizarre confession after Jake Paul fight

Even at the advanced age of 58, Mike Tyson still has plenty of bite left in him, judging by his wild post-fight interview.

Even at 58 years of age, Mike Tyson still has plenty of mongrel left in him.

Predictably, he’s got very little punching power left in that ageing body following his lopsided loss to 27-year-old Jake Paul in Dallas on Saturday (AEDT).

Rather, it’s the penchant for biting that the former “Baddest man on the Planet” has failed to shake, even as a grandfather.

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Among his many highlights and lowlights in an extraordinary life, Tyson’s most infamous fight remains his heavyweight world title rematch with Evander Holyfield in 1997.

Held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Tyson was disqualified after biting Holyfield’s ear twice in the third round.

It continued a horror stretch for “Iron” Mike, who was convicted of rape in 1992 and spent three years in prison.

Mike Tyson biting his gloves and Evander Holyfield. Photos: Netflix/AP

Holyfield reacts after Tyson bit his ear. Photo: Supplied

The youngest heavyweight world champion in history at just 20, he reclaimed the WBA title with a victory over Frank Bruno in 1996 before losing consecutive fights to Holyfield.

He would never reclaim a championship belt, adding to his infamy after famously stating he wanted “to eat his children” after losing to Lennox Lewis in 2000.

It all painted a picture of an out of control figure and it appears some of that still remains in the Hall of Fame boxer.

After barely throwing a punch in his loss to Paul, Tyson was asked in the ring if he was happy with his performance.

“Absolutely happy yes,” he replied. “I knew he was a good fighter, he was prepared but I came to fight.

Tyson offered very little in the ring. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

But still called out Logan Paul (top right) after the fight. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP)

“I didn’t prove nothing to anybody, only to myself. I’m not one of those guys that wants to please the world. I’m only happy with what I can do.”

Tyson was then asked about the fact he was seen regularly biting down on his left glove during the fight.

It had been discussed at length by the commentators, with veteran caller Mauro Ranallo stating it had long been a Tyson trait.

Asked about it in the ring, Tyson dropped the stunning revelation: “Oh, I have a habit of biting my gloves yes.”

Asked why, he replied: “Um, I have a biting fixation.”

Interviewer Ariel Helwani shot back: “I’ve heard about that,” in a reference to that infamous Holyfield event.

“I don’t want to know more.”

Fans watching the fight also took note of Tyson’s habit with his glove.

“Mike wanted to let the beast out so bad, but he opted to bite his gloves instead. Jake Paul will forever be click bait,” came one comment on X.

“Kinda wanted Tyson to bite him not gonna lie,” joked another.

“Terrible fight all around. I wasn’t expecting Tyson to go crazy but he barely did anything but bite his glove,” offered another.

“Watching Tyson get paid 20 million to bite a glove,” wrote a fourth

The old man leaving the ring, apparently not for the last time. Photo: Netflix

Leading up to the fight, Tyson had been linked with possible rematches with Lewis or Holyfield, although the former shot that down in the lead-up to Saturday’s event.

Despite his poor performance, Tyson wasn’t prepared to say this was his last fight.

“I don’t know. It depends on the situation,” he said.

Asked directly if it was his last professional fight, Tyson said: “I don’t think so.”

Pushed on who he might like to fight next, Tyson called out Logan Paul, Jake’s brother, who was standing about a metre away in the ring.

“I don’t know, maybe his brother,” he said.

Logan Paul shot back: “Mother f**ker, I’ll kill you Mike.”

It remains to be seen what comes next, but it seems there is still some bite left in Mike Tyson.