Boxing legend Mike Tyson came close to committing suicide after the tragic death of his daughter in 2009.

The star, who has struggled with substance abuse issues since his career in the ring ended, hit rock bottom and nearly killed himself after his four-year-old daughter Exodus choked to death while playing on a treadmill in 2009.

The 47-year-old former world heavyweight champ tells Britain's The Sun newspaper, "I didn't think I'd be here much longer. I was planning on killing myself. I was overdosing every night, I had to change my life. It's been hell, but I'm happy to be alive."

The father-of-eight also came clean about his battle with alcohol and drugs, insisting he is determined to turn his life around.

Tyson is currently launching a new career as a boxing promoter in his native New York.