Mike Tyson's ex-trainer is forecasting a swift conclusion to the upcoming face-off with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, suggesting it could be over in less than a minute.
The two were originally scheduled to square off earlier this summer, but 'Iron Mike' had to delay his comeback due to an inflamed ulcer . Tyson was advised by his doctor to halt training but has since returned to the gym and assures he'll be ready to step into the ring later this year.
The much-anticipated showdown between these two heavyweights is slated for Friday, November 15 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where up to 90,000 spectators are expected. Tyson's last professional match was in 2005 when he was defeated by Kevin McBride.
His most recent bout was a closed-door exhibition against fellow boxing legend Roy Jones Jr in 2020. As for Paul, the 27-year-old claimed victory over former UFC fighter Mike Perry in his latest match in July.
Jeff Fenech, who himself is a former pro boxer and trained Tyson for his losses against Danny Williams and McBride in 2004 and 2005, isn't concerned about Tyson's health or his ability to fight at 58. Fenech is confident that 'Iron Mike' could wrap up the fight quickly if he sticks to the game plan.
In a conversation with Wide World of Sports, Fenech expressed: "I do not doubt if Mike takes it easy and doesn't try to punch at the same time [he will win].
"If he makes Jake Paul miss, Mike will knock him out in a couple of rounds one hundred percent. I spoke to Mike. I told him what I felt.
"Hopefully, he'll listen to me. We said the same thing anyway. If he does what he said, then I have no doubt he will knock him out. He'll have no problem."
Fenech, who has been dealing with his own health issues, confessed that he's more concerned about Tyson ahead of the November showdown with Paul. "We were talking about my health and that [on the phone]. I'm not worried about my health; don't get me wrong, I am, but I'm more worried about him. I hope he does the right thing to beat Jake Paul.
"If Mike lands one clean punch, and if he makes him miss, he will make him pay. If he doesn't try and strike at the same time and is patient, the fight could be over in one minute."
Tyson recently disclosed his struggle to walk after completing six rounds of sparring - further raising concerns for his health before the match. The American recently admitted to being a 'junkie' and has previously confessed to smoking weed every day as well as micro-dosing magic mushrooms to help him recover between sessions before his last fight with Jones Jr.
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Tyson shockingly claimed that he was even high during the fight itself. In a candid exchange with Jimmy Kimmel, Tyson didn't shy away from admitting his potential fight state. When probed by Kimmel on whether he'd be high during his clash with Paul, he quipped: "I'm going to be so high off life, yeah."
Not satisfied, Kimmel pressed on: "Will you be high on marijuana, as well? " to which Tyson casually conceded: "That's a possibility, too". The revelation seemed to unsettle the host who half-joked: "Oh no my bet is getting lower as we talk."
Tyson's nonchalant attitude towards the upcoming bout was further highlighted when he dropped a bombshell about his preparation - or lack thereof. In his conversation with Kimmel, 'Iron Mike' boasted of his rigorous training regime, claiming, "I am training extremely hard, I do six hours a day. I start at 11am and might leave the gym at 5pm."
A bewildered Kimmel sought clarification: "Oh no. 11am? So that's six hours straight, or is there a lunch break?" Tyson acknowledged a brief intermission, leaving Kimmel visibly taken aback as he exclaimed: "Oh no."
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