Mike Tyson breaks down crying saying he is 'empty' without boxing

From extreme highs to extreme lows, Mike Tyson has lived an extraordinary life by anyone’s standards.

Once billed as the ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’, the former undisputed heavyweight champion is widely regarded as one of the greatest to ever set foot in the ring.

He’s the youngest heavyweight king in history and is on the elite list of men to unify the division.

In the early 1990s Tyson was easily one of the most, if not the most, famous sportsmen in the world.

Now, 54, life is different for ‘Iron Mike’.

In recent years, he has done some film and television work, as well as hosting his own podcast, Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson.

In March, his guest was fellow Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Leonard, who is considered one of the all-time greats with world titles in five weight divisions during his 20-year career.

The 36-1-3 orthodox also claimed the lineal championship in three weight divisions, as well as the undisputed welterweight title.

Tyson, who is stepping back into the ring 15 years after his fight, explained during his chat with Leonard that he focused so much energy into being who he needed to be in the ring that once his career was over, it left him feeling empty.

“I’m a f***ing student of war,” he said during an emotional moment between the two.

“I know all the warriors. From Charlemagne to Achilles – the number one warrior of all warriors – and then Alexander and Napoleon, I know them all.

“I read about them all. I studied them all. I know the art of fighting, I know the art of war, that’s all I ever studied.

“That’s why I’m so feared, that’s why they feared me when I was in the ring. I was an annihilator. It’s all I was born for.

“Now those days are gone it’s empty, I’m nothing. I’m working on the art of humbleness… That’s the reason I’m crying because I’m not that person no more, and I miss him.

“Because sometimes I feel like a b****, because I don’t want that person to come out because if he comes out, hell is coming with him.

“And it’s not funny at all. I sound cool, like I’m a tough guy [but] I hate that guy. I’m scared of him.”

The tears flowed as Tyson opened up on what Leonard meant to him as he was growing up and how Sugar’s achievements in the ring inspired a lost teenager.

“I’m 13 years old, I was locked up in juvenile [detention],” Tyson continued. “You’re fighting [Wilfred Benitez in 1979] a master that was champion of the world at 17 – not amateur, professional.

“Now he’s 21, fighting you. I can’t even talk… you inspired me so f***ing much.

“Then I saw you fight [Roberto] Duran. It changed my life, I thought ‘this is what I’m going to be’… You don’t understand. You’re immortal to me.”

Both men are utterly beloved for what they gave to the sport and what they achieved in it, but nothing will replace the rush of competition for them.