Mike Tyson says he felt unable to handle the pressure of heavyweight boxing He was only 20 when he defeated Trevor Berbick to become world champion The 53-year-old believes great fighters share ability to overcome fear of death

                                                                                             Mike Tyson has admitted he has 'never been able to handle being a fighter,' insisting he found it difficult to overcome fear during his boxing career. 

Tyson was only 20 years old when he defeated Trevor Berbick to become heavyweight world champion in November 1986, but he struggled with nervousness before each of his 56 professional fights.

In a YouTube discussion with American actor and comedian Kenan Thompson, the 53-year-old reflected on his life in the ring.has admitted he has 'never been able to handle being a fighter,' insisting he found it difficult to overcome fear during his boxing career. 

Tyson was only 20 years old when he defeated Trevor Berbick to become heavyweight world champion in November 1986, but he struggled with nervousness before each of his 56 professional fights.'I never thought I could handle being a fighter. It just was. I've never been able to handle it,' Tyson explained. 

'You always get nervous. I'm nervous now. That's just part of life. I believe from my experience that the feeling is a natural defence mechanism. You rise to the occasion or you freeze. You learn to deal with that.' 

Tyson made nine defences of his titles before losing to underdog Buster Douglas in Tokyo in 1990. He was convicted of rape in 1992 and spent three years in prison.