Revealed: The shocking snack heavyweight nice Mike Tyson ate earlier than EVERY struggle in his prime

Mike Tyson is widely regarded as one of the most ferocious fighters to ever step foot inside a boxing ring.

In 1986, he became the youngest-ever heavyweight champion at the age of 20, and he continued to dominate the division for years before his shock defeat by James ‘Buster’ Douglas in 1990.

He regained his belts in 1996 by beating Frank Bruno and went on to have memorable fights with Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis.

But what fuelled his success?

Well, back in 2019, Tyson told GQ that he would tuck into a specific snack one hour before every fight in his prime.

Speaking about his fighting diet, Tyson explained: ‘When I was fighting, I ate a steak, some vegetables.

Mike Tyson has revealed he would have a chocolate bar and orange juice before every fight

The surprising snack helped him become the youngest-ever heavyweight champion in 1986

Tyson held the heavyweight title on two separate occasions in his prime years

‘And right before, an hour or so before the fight, I would have chocolate bar and orange juice – just to get a quick sugar rush before I go in the ring.’

The unusual ritual worked more often than not for Tyson as he garnered a reputation for steamrolling his opponents in the opening rounds of his fights. 

It is unknown whether Tyson had a chocolate bar and orange juice before his comeback bout against Jake Paul in November.

If he did, it didn’t pay off. Returning to the ring for the first time in almost two decades, Tyson produced a lethargic performance as he lost a unanimous decision to the YouTuber-turned-boxer.

However, Tyson insisted he was proud of himself for fighting again, as he revealed he had almost died earlier in the year.

Less than 24 hours after his loss, Tyson wrote on X: ‘This is one of those situations when you lost but still won.

‘I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in ring one last time.

‘I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won.

‘To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you.’