Mike Tyson admits he thought Hasbulla was a child after bizarre interaction

Mike Tyson has revealed that he thought Hasbulla was “a baby” after a clip of him hugging the social media sensation on a podcast went viral. The pair met on “Hotboxin”, with Iron Mike having turned heads after he appeared to nibble the Russian personality’s ear during a bizarre moment.
The former world heavyweight champion is set to make his return to the boxing ring after nearly two decades away against Jake Paul on November 15. As he continues his preparations for the bout at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the 58-year-old colossus took some time out as on his podcast recently.
However, his encounter with Hasbulla on the recording proved somewhat controversial as he grabbed the 26-year-old internet celebrity after allowing him to punch him. Now, Tyson has reflected on the odd incident as he confessed that he thought the 3-foot-3 star was a child during their meeting.
Sitting down on The Art Of Ward podcast, he admitted to Andre Ward that he was unaware that the Dagestani has a form of dwarfism. He said: “Yeah. I thought it was a baby. No, no. I did not know. That’s how I am with children, I’m hugging on this guy, and he’s like 26 years old (real age 22).”
Meanwhile, American MMA star Nate Diaz was among those who remarked upon the bizarre moment after clips from the recording went viral. Taking to X, he could not hide his amusement as he said: “This is hilarious [LAUGHS].”
A first commenter remarked: “You know Hasbulla just lay there scared for his life” – as a second said: “Hahaha, damn, Mike. He genuinely didn’t know this man was 26 years old. He gave him a raspberry. That little —- was terrified” – while a third person added: “Thought mike was gonna eat his ear lol.”
During an appearance on All the Smoke Fight podcast, he opened up on his preparations ahead of facing Paul later this month. He said: “I don’t wish that on anyone. I don’t wish my life on no one. As a whole, yeah. That’s why I was training so hard. I was a nobody that wanted to be a somebody. I wanted it all. I wanted to be the biggest fighter in the history of life.”
“I don’t think I’m 58. Do you think I feel 58 when I’m fighting these young […] in the gym, and they’re bashing me them big strong […], and I’m bashing them back. He’s supposed to be the young guy, I’m supposed to be the old man, he’s going to run all…night? I think he should try it.
“He’s a younger man, he should be able to handle punches from an old withering man like me. Listen, you can’t compare me with other people my age because other people my age haven’t been training as long, consistently as me.”
Tyson added: “I’m just a different species of human being, I think because I’m very active in what I do. I don’t sit around and do nothing. It’s going to be a wonderful evening, the city of Dallas is going to be entertained.”