Mike Tyson is lacing up the gloves again after being retired from professional boxing for nearly 20 years.
“Iron Mike” will test his mettle in a matchup against YouTuber-turned-knockout artist Jake Paul on November 15 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Netflix.
The last time Tyson, 58, was in the ring was for a 2020 exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr. Against Paul, 27, the bout is sanctioned as an eight-round pro fight at two minutes a round with 14-ounce gloves.
Tyson coach Rafael Cordeiro, who cornered the former heavyweight champion against Jones, is back in Tyson’s camp preparing him for Paul.
“Mike is much better than he was when he fought Roy,” Cordeiro said in the pre-fight docuseries “MVP Uncut.” “Four years later, at 58, he’s better than he was at 54. He saw everything right and wrong that he did and fixed it. This is the beauty of the fight. His energy is good. … We’re in the perfect time and perfect place. Mike put everything together, mentally and physically. We’re very excited.”
The footage featured a day in the life of Tyson’s camp. Cordeiro went on to show his hand mitts and how the leather had broken off due to Tyson’s battering.
“This is really good equipment, and it couldn’t handle Mike’s punches,” said Cordeiro. “Can you imagine Jake’s face? Can you imagine that kid?
“He’s raising his techniques in his training better and is better every single day. His defense, his power, his speed, his endurance, his conditioning – everything he needs to put on a great show. The only guarantee that we have is Mike will dare to kill or die. He’s going to hunt this kid like crazy. He just needs one touch. If Mike touches him, it’s over. And the proof is going to be on November 15.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter whose work has appeared on ESPN, Fox Sports, USA Today, The Guardian, Newsweek, Men’s Health, NFL.com, Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Ring Magazine and more. He has been writing for BoxingScene since 2018. Manouk is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.
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