Mike Tyson is getting ready to step back into the ring. The 57-year-old former heavyweight champion will face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on November 15 at AT&T; Stadium in Texas.
The match has sparked a lot of talk. Many people are worried about the 30-year age gap between the fighters. They're concerned about Tyson's health, given that he hasn't had a professional fight since 2005. The BBC has reported on these concerns in detail.
But not everyone thinks it's a bad idea. Many of Tyson's old opponents believe he can win. One of them is Larry Holmes, known as "The Easton Assassin". Holmes lost to Tyson by knockout in the fourth round back in 1988.
Holmes recently watched Tyson train and had some strong words for Jake Paul. He told OLBG:
"Mike will be able to last the two minute rounds. Mike comes to fight when he puts his mind to it, he goes to work on you. And that's what I've seen today. And if this guy tries to trade punches with Mike, he loses."
Holmes compared Tyson's punching power to another hard-hitting boxer, Earnie Shavers:
"Earnie Shavers was one of the hardest punchers there's ever been and Mike is right up there with him at the top. Earnie Shavers was the hardest I've ever faced but when Tyson hits, he tries to kill you."
The former champ also noted Tyson's toughness:
"And Mike can take a good punch, I hit him a couple of times and he kept on coming."
Holmes had some advice for Jake Paul. He said Paul needs to move around a lot, use his jab, and avoid trading punches with Tyson.
"If Jake moves like Larry Holmes did, around in circles, ducking punches then he might be able to survive. He has to bang that jab out. Block what he throws and throw back. If he tries to trade punches he's not going to win. The only way he wins the battle is if he runs."
In the end, Holmes thinks Tyson will come out on top:
"I think if I'm gonna bet my money, I'll bet on Mike Tyson because I know him. I see him. I was around him. I know what he's made of."
But he added a kind word for both fighters:
"I wish both of them the best, I hope they don't get hurt. They have Larry Holmes support."
The boxing world will watch closely as the 57-year-old Tyson takes on Paul, who was just 8 years old when Tyson had his last professional fight.
