Will Mike Tyson lose his fight with drugs and alcohol?

Former undisputed heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson claims he is on the verge of dying from ongoing drug and alcohol problems.

47 year old Tyson admitted he is a continual substance abuser but added he is hopeful of finally getting clean.

At the age of 20, in 1987, the American fighter held the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles.

But five years later Brooklyn-born Tyson was convicted of raping Desiree Washington and sentenced to six years in prison.

He returned to the ring but retired from the sport in 2006 and in 2007 was sentenced to 24 hours in jail and 360 hours of community service for drug possession and driving under the influence.