Ex-boxing champion Mike Tyson says 'on the verge of dying' from drugs

Mike Tyson pictured earlier this year. Credit: Dennis Van Tine/ABACAUSA.COM

Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson 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'.

Tyson, now a promoter, told a news conference:

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

His comments on Friday came as he spoke about trying to make amends with Teddy Atlas, his former trainer whom he famously fell out with in the early 1980s.

The former champion is infamous for biting Evander Holyfield during a world heavyweight bout in 1997.