Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has admitted that he used fentanyl during the peak of his career in the late 1990s, comparing the withdrawal symptoms to heroin and acknowledging that he stopped only after learning of the drug’s risks.
Tyson, 59, made the revelation during Episode 5 of The Katie Miller Podcast, which was uploaded on the podcast’s official YouTube channel on September 9, 2025.
He recounted how he began using fentanyl as a painkiller after sustaining a toe injury.
“It was a painkiller, and I used to use it to patch up my toe. It’s like heroin, once it wears off and you take the Band-Aid off, you start withdrawing, throwing up, just like if you were on heroin.”
He explained that he discontinued use after discovering the drug was a narcotic and carried serious legal and health consequences.
“When I found out it was illegal, I stopped,” Tyson said.
The confession has renewed debate about Tyson’s past substance use and sparked concern over his current health, particularly as he has hinted at a possible return to the ring.
READ ALSO: Tyson Fury Announces Retirement from Boxing After Legendary Career
No formal medical updates have been provided regarding his condition.
Tyson has more recently spoken out about drug policy, advocating safer marijuana use and calling for stronger education around the dangers of opioids.
In June 2025, he joined officials of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration during a laboratory tour in New York City, where he warned of fentanyl’s potency.
“One pill can kill,” he said at the event, underscoring the rising overdose crisis in the United States.
The former world champion, who remains one of boxing’s most recognized figures, said his intention in going public with his past use is to highlight the dangers of fentanyl and discourage young athletes and fans from experimenting with the substance.