Boxer Tyson says 'on the verge of dying' from drugs, alcohol

Former heavyweight champion says he is hoping to get away from 'vicious drinking' and substance abuse.

Mike Tyson says he has been clean of alcohol and drugs for the past six days.

Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight boxing champion, has claimed he is on the verge of dying from ongoing drug and alcohol problems.

"I wanna live my sober life. I don't wanna die. I'm on the verge of dying, because I'm a vicious alcoholic." Tyson said on ESPN's 'Friday Night Fights'.

"I'm a bad guy sometimes. I did a lot of bad things, and I want to be forgiven," Tyson, now a promoter, told a news conference.

"So in order for me to be forgiven, I hope they can forgive me. I wanna change my life, I wanna live a different life now," the former champion said.

Tyson conceded to being a continual substance abuser but was hopeful he was finally becoming clean.

"I haven't drank or took drugs in six days, and for me that's a miracle," he revealed.

"I've been lying to everybody else that think I was sober, but I'm not. This is my sixth day. I'm never gonna use again."

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