MIKE TYSON’S ex-coach has opened up on the boxing legend’s bizarre “biting fixation” which was on show against Jake Paul.
Tyson infamously sunk his teeth into Evander Holyfield’s ear in their 1997 rematch and got himself disqualified.
And sensationally over 27 years later and Tyson was up to his old tricks – this time with some restraint.
Throughout his controversial comeback bout against YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul – Tyson was seen chewing on his glove.
And his old amateur trainer Teddy Atlas revealed it has been something the heavyweight great has always done.
Atlas said on his YouTube channel: “That’s something he did in his amateur days, pro days, and now, of course, he’s done it again.
“For people that follow Mike Tyson and his career, they’ve seen it before.
“People were saying, ‘Tyson’s smart, he’s witty. He knows what to say and the importance of having that image’.
“It’s more like a pacifier. Look, everyone gets nervous, even Mike Tyson. Everyone gets doubtful, even Mike Tyson.
“Everyone gets scared, even Mike Tyson… You bite down on something. Why? To suppress those feelings. To suppress the doubts.
“To suppress the nervousness, the uneasiness, the insecurity… that’s what it is.”
Tyson, 58, returned after almost 20 YEARS away from professional boxing to face Paul, 27.
The fight was slammed amid the age gap but still over 100MILLION tuned in on Netflix while 72,000 were in attendance in Texas.
And Tyson addressed his constant chewing of his glove in the immediate aftermath of losing the eight-round bout on points.
He said: “I have a habit of biting my gloves when I fight. I have a biting fixation.”
