Mike Tyson returns to the ring next month almost 20 years on from his last professional fight.
The 58-year-old hung up the gloves in 2005 on back-to-back defeats. He said that he had lost love for the sport and was only competing to pay his bills. This November, he faces Jake Paul over eight two-minute rounds.
One man who is backing ‘Iron’ Mike to get the win is former opponent Lennox Lewis. ‘The Lion’ – who beat Tyson by stoppage in 2002 – predicted him to win in an interview with Fox 29.
“Mike Tyson’s gonna win. He’s not that old. Don’t take him too softly. We’re one year apart … You can fight somebody like [Jake Paul] and do well, because the person you’re fighting is not a true fighter and there’s a hundred things that you’ve forgotten that he’s learning.
[The age] will be a little bit of a determining factor if the fight goes on too long, but if they get close and Mike comes with his ten second combination, if one of those punches catches [Paul] he’s definitely gonna go down.”
George Foreman, who Tyson regrets not facing during his time at the top, isn’t so optimistic about the former undisputed heavyweight champion’s chances. He was asked outright by NY Fights if Tyson, even at this age, should be able to ‘drop and stop’ Paul.
“Jake Paul is no pushover and he is not afraid of any of these guys. Time is on his side. So happy for Mike Tyson, he needed this excitement in his life. Everyone is talking about it. Answer to your question: No.”
The predictions will be put to the test come November 15 at the AT&T Stadium in Texas, though some in the sport, including promoter Eddie Hearn, will not be watching.
