Mike Tyson has played down talks of a recent health scare after he was spotted using a wheelchair, insisting he needed assistance because of a back condition.
Ring legend Tyson, 56, has showed signs of his age recently as he required a walking stick whilst in New York and also needed to use a wheelchair whist passing through Miami airport. Fans were worried about Tyson's health despite the former undisputed heavyweight champion continuing to maintain his fitness by training at the gym with his coach.
A source played down the images, telling TMZ : "He’s dealing with a sciatica flare-up. Nothing serious. Just an occupational hazard for an athlete like Mike." Tyson has now confirmed he needed the wheelchair because of his sciatica, telling Newsmax TV : “I have sciatica every now and then, it flares up. When it flares up, I can’t even talk! Thank God it’s the only health problem I have. I’m splendid now. Everybody in my house is truly blessed and we’re all very grateful for whatever we have.”
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Sciatica is a common back condition which typically affects people between the ages of 30 and 50. A shooting pain is felt in the sciatic nerve, which can run from the lower back all the way down the feet. Several other fighters have been troubled by the condition such as UFC legends Cain Velasquez and Anderson Silva.
Pictures of Tyson in the wheelchair came just days after he sparked more concern over his longevity, issuing a prediction on his life expectancy during a recent episode of his HotBoxin' podcast. "We’re all going to die one day of course," he said. "When I look in the mirror, I see those little spots on my face. I say, ‘wow. That means my expiration date is coming close, really soon'.”
Despite making his name from the sweet science, Tyson admitted he doesn't watch much boxing anymore. The heavyweight legend has started watching tennis and golf, but joked that he isn't any good at playing either of the sports. "I watch tennis more than I watch boxing. Tennis and golf. I thought golf was a horrible sport until I watched it live and it’s an incredible sport. One time I tried to hit a golf ball and the club went out of my hand. In tennis I hit the ball like I'm playing baseball, it's not working out too well for me."
