Mike Tyson: 'That was some bad shit Cromwell did'

One of the most compelling sports icons of all time, Mike Tyson is set to bring his Undisputed show to the Olympia on March 27. Ahead of that Irish appearance, the 47-year-old opens up in the pages of the new issue of Hot Press.

On the agenda: dodging drug tests, embracing Islam in prison, being declared bankrupt, staying sober and… Irish history?
"I had no idea how much you guys hate the English!" says the legendary boxer. "My friend told me about Cromwell. That was some bad shit he did."

When asked whether he knows Irish boxing hero Barry McGuigan, he says: "I know Barry. We’re friends. He came to some of my fights and I watched him when he was kicking everyone’s ass. I’ve been in Ireland a few times. I spent a long time in Sligo a few years ago with a very mad man – I won’t tell you who. I had no idea how much you guys hate the English! My friend told me all about Cromwell. That was some bad shit he did."

We also get his take on the infamous 'fake penis' story.

"On occasions," Tyson confesses. "I would smoke marijuana and drink liquor. And if anyone smokes marijuana, it stays in your system for at least 35 to 40 days. Right? So I didn’t want to get penalised, so I had to use a fake penis which we called a Whizzo, and I would collect urine from someone who doesn’t smoke or anything, and pray to God that when I get it from my wife she’s not pregnant and we get a pregnancy test (laughter). And that’s what I did. It was a fake penis and I would pull it out quick in front of the person who was watching me, so he could be offended. You see, you pull it out and then he turns his back and I would clip it and start peeing (laughter)."

For the full, frank and fascinating interview, pick up the new issue of Hot Press (Graham Norton cover), on sale now.