Mike Tyson opened up on the psychological warfare he inflicted on his opponents during his storied boxing career.

From his aggressive fighting style, intimidating ring walk and simple attire, it is often said the former heavyweight champion had men beaten by the time he entered the ring.

Mike Tyson opened up on the psychological warfare he inflicted on his opponents during his storied boxing career.

From his aggressive fighting style, intimidating ring walk and simple attire, it is often said the former heavyweight champion had men beaten by the time he entered the ring.

“Some of my prior antics over the years could make him think that possibly I will eat his kids,” as he revealed he used intimidation as a weapon because he was scared himself.

“But I was not intimidated,” he explained. “Being intimidated prevents me from acting. I don’t care how big you are, if you hit me I’m going to hit you back.”

Tyson, who has since said he doesn’t like the man he once was, used that aura in the build-up to his eventual 2002 fight with champion Lewis.

There were ugly scenes at the pre-fight press conference which descended into a full on brawl, while a ring of security separated them in the ring on the night of the fight in Tennessee – chosen because Nevada would not grant Tyson a license.

Tyson, who was at one point the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, was beaten by Lewis, which was his last title fight before eventually retiring from boxing in 2005.

The two men are now friends and Lewis has even joked he used to use the threat from ‘Iron Mike’ as a way to warn his kids to behave.