He survived a traumatic childhood, years in prison and a crippling cocaine addiction, not to mention his 2002 knockout defeat to Lennox Lewis, but Mike Tyson‘s toughest opponent has really been toe fungus.
Asked by talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel about his habit of fighting without socks, the legendary heavyweight admitted it was done, in part, as a fashion choice.
‘I only used to for fighting where that was my image,’ the 59-year-old Tyson told the 57-year-old Kimmel. ‘It was real hardcore, no socks.’
But that habit may have led to fungal issues along his lower digits.
‘I somehow discovered that I had a disintegrating dose of foot fungus,’ Tyson said. ‘And it was really bad. It’s still really bad now.’
Asked by Kimmel if ‘foot fungus is your greatest opponent of all,’ Tyson agreed, and with good reason.
Mike Tyson, 59, said there is only one of his toughest opponents he continues to battle
Tyson would typically fight without socks, although that wasn’t obvious due to his high-tops
‘Well, I would have to say so because it’s still kicking my ass now,’ he said.
Kimmel tried to turn the problem into a sponsorship opportunity for Tyson by suggesting he do a commercial for the anti-fungal foot powder, Desenex.
Tyson, though, laughed off the over-the-counter treatment.
‘Desenex can not help me,’ Tyson laughed. ‘My toes look like they blew up.’
Tyson was speaking to Kimmel nearly one year on from his lackluster defeat to then-27-year-old Jake Paul.
For now, Tyson is doing another one-man show following the success of his 2013 performance, ‘Mike Tyson: The Undisputed Truth.’
He’s also planning to fight 48-year-old Floyd Mayweather Jr. in an exhibition next spring.