Mike Tyson, the 58-year-old retired boxing legend, is set to step back into the ring against Jake Paul, a fighter 30 years his junior, on November 15. This match-up has stirred up controversy due to the significant age gap and Tyson's long absence from professional boxing.
The fight will feature 14-ounce gloves and consist of eight two-minute rounds. These details have raised eyebrows in the boxing community, with many questioning the wisdom of the matchup.
Freddie Roach, a world-renowned trainer who worked with Tyson at the tail-end of his career, shared his thoughts on the upcoming bout. Roach trained Tyson for two fights, including a knockout win against Clifford Etienne and a stoppage loss to Danny Williams.
"Mike's a great guy, but his heart wasn't really in it at that time," Roach said. "If he didn't knock you out in a couple of rounds he'd get a torn meniscus in his knee or an injury somewhere. Mike is a great puncher, he trains very hard. Catching him on the mitts was very difficult and a lot of fun. Getting whacked by Mike Tyson with the right hook isn't my favourite spot but I lived through it!"
Roach's experience with Paul is limited. He saw the younger fighter spar briefly at Wild Card Gym. His assessment was straightforward: "The kid's okay. You know, a club fighter, I don't know."
When it comes to predicting the outcome of the Tyson-Paul fight, Roach doesn't seem overly optimistic about Tyson's chances. He expressed his concerns in a recent interview:
"All of a sudden this fight's coming up against a younger, maybe stronger man. Well I can't say stronger cause Tyson's very strong. But the last two fights I trained Tyson for he didn't do that well. I hope he does well because he's a good friend of mine."
Tyson retired from professional boxing in 2005 after losing to Kevin McBride. His final years in the sport saw him struggle, including the stoppage loss to Williams under Roach's guidance.
Paul, on the other hand, has youth on his side and has been actively involved in boxing in recent years. These factors could play a significant role in the bout's outcome.
The fight, originally scheduled for earlier, was postponed due to medical reasons. It's now set for November 15, giving both fighters more time to prepare for what's sure to be a closely watched event.
