Why did Mike Tyson cry before his fights? Boxer explains pre-fight tears in interview

He pulled on the black boxing trunks. Laced up the black boxing shoes. Slid his head into the opening of the white towel before parading to the boxing ring.

But that was only part of the pre-fight ritual for Mike Tyson, according to the former world heavyweight champion.

He also cried.

“I always cried before I fight,’’ Tyson told actor William Shatner.

Iron Mike has cried when asked about his relationship with Cus D’Amato, Tyson’s first trainer. Cried many times about the accidental death of his daughter Exodus, then four, in 2009. But during Tyson’s exchange with Shatner in 2019 on Tyson’s old podcast, “Hotboxin with Mike Tyson," the Baddest Man on the Planet revealed something else.

Shatner: “What were you crying about?

Tyson: “I don’t know. That’s just who I am.’’

Shatner: “Yeah, but go further. What’s the emotion?’’

Tyson: “I’m getting ready to change into somebody I don’t like.”

Shatner: “You’re getting ready to change, you, change into the fighter.’’

Tyson: “Yeah.’’

Shatner: “And you don’t like that fighter.’’

Tyson: “Not really.’’

Shatner: “Wow! Mike Tyson, that’s illuminating! You’re the greatest fighter that ever lived, and you didn’t like that guy.’’

Tyson: “No, because he came more with fighting. …He brought more than just fighting with him.

Shatner: “What do you mean?”

Tyson: “He brought, like, jealousy, envious, guilt. He brought a lot of stuff.’’

That was the Mike Tyson who bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear and spit it on the canvas, who intentionally headbutt his last opponent, Kevin McBride, and who registered 44 knockouts, including some of the most devastating in boxing history.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Tyson cried before his fights. Baddest Man on the Planet explains