Yahoo Finance Mike Tyson sparks health concerns with slurring during 'Good Morning Britain' appearance
Watch: Mike Tyson’s uncomfortable appearance on GMB
Mike Tyson has sparked concerns for his health after giving a live interview on Good Morning Britain during which he slurred his words and appeared exhausted.
The 54-year-old sportsman recently announced his return to the boxing ring with plans to fight Roy Jones Jr in his first match for 15 years.
Tyson appeared via video link on the ITV breakfast show from Los Angeles to answer questions about his planned comeback and seemed to be struggling to keep awake, closing his eyes during the interview, and at one point sitting slumped forwards in his seat.
Piers Morgan asked the boxer why he wanted to take part in the fight.
Tyson slurred his words as he replied: "I just want to do this, I plan on doing this for a charity exponent and I think I am capable of doing that, and that's what I want to do.”
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Asked if he still felt he was up to the same level of fitness as he was 15 years ago, Tyson said: "Pretty much, I am just ready to do this, I feel really good, I am ready to do this."
The proposed fight against 51-year-old Roy Jones Jr was originally scheduled for 12 September and has already been postponed until 28 November.
Susanna Reid asked: "As two men rapidly approaching the age of 50, I would never cast dispersions on someone's age, but there have been concerns as you are two men in your 50s fighting each other without protective headgear, what do you think about those concerns?"
Tyson replied "I think it's very wonderful that we are fighting together, it's a fight we should have had sooner, but unfortunately we are having it now, and that's going to be awesome."
Some Twitter users expressed concern for Tyson’s health after watching the interview, while others claimed he must have been tired after staying up late to do the interview.
One Twitter user, RMofFens, tweeted: “@GMB what's on earth is up with Mike Tyson? How is he going to fight, if he can hardly speak?”
@GMB what's on earth is up with Mike Tyson? How is he going to fight, if he can hardly speak?
— Rasa Mother of dogs #FBPE 🇪🇺🇪🇺🏴 (@RMofFens) October 13, 2020
Nush wrote on Twitter: “Mike Tyson seems like he's slurring when he's talking and wants to fall asleep.”
Mike Tyson seems like he's slurring when he's talking and wants to fall asleep.
— Nush (@ManushRafatjah) October 13, 2020
David McConaghie said: “I think #miketyson is half asleep.”
I think #miketyson is half asleep #gmb @piersmorgan @susannareid100 @GMB @MikeTyson
— David McConaghie (@187davio) October 13, 2020
And Brock commented: “Very concerning , is Mike Tyson up to fighting. His speech was slurred, and it was a difficult interview.”
@piersmorgan Very concerning , is Mike Tyson up to fighting. His speech was slurred, and it was a difficult interview.
— Brock (@kapbrock) October 13, 2020
Piers Morgan and Good Morning Britain’s official Twitter account have not commented on the interview.
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The time difference in Los Angeles meant that it was after 10pm for Tyson.
Tyson hasn’t fought since losing to Kevin McBride in June 2005.
He is a registered sex offender in the US after being convicted of rape in 1992 and serving three years in prison.
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