Mike Tyson has thanked his British fans for saving his life. The former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world claims he would have 'starved to death' had it not been for his sell-out UK talk shows.
Tyson was declared bankrupt in 2003 despite earning almost £200 million during his boxing career.
As the 45-year-old returns to Britain for another round of shows next month, he told The Sun: 'Three years ago, I was homeless. I needed to keep the wolves from my door and the fans in Britain gave me that.
'I am so grateful. My most loyal fanbase is in Britain. If I had depended on love in the States, I would have starved to death.'
Tyson, who is a convicted rapist and also served time for drug offences and assaulting two motorists, appeared in the Hangover films as he tries to crack Hollywood.
He added: 'The Hangover has given me a comeback in America but, in Britain, they loved me for all my flaws before the movies came out.
'I have a one-man show coming up in Las Vegas called the "Undisputed Truth".
'Film of me going to prison will be screened behind me and I will get naked there in front of people.
'That's what I call it, being naked with my clothes on. Just telling the truth.'
That will include talking about the tragic death of his four-year-old daughter Exodus, who died in 2009 after becoming tangled in an exercise treadmill.
'My daughter dying changed my life and I met people who dragged me back from the brink,' Tyson added.
'There were ex-Hell's Angels in my recovery programme who helped me so much.
'I saw people who had millions, I saw people who were homeless and they all had problems.
'Yet around them were people who would go to an airport at 4am just to talk you out of a bad place.
'They drag people out of the gutter — now my mission is to help people like that.
'I have survived all that I have been through and it's left me with such passion for life.
'When I had all that money I was the most miserable, wretched b*****d around.
'Now I have got energy and great potential to be a better person.'
