Mike Tyson’s trainer has dismissed claims the heavyweight icon’s health is at risk when he fights Jake Paul.
The former champion will return to the ring aged 58 and face YouTube star Paul in a showdown on July 20 in Texas
A 31-year age gap will exist between the pair by the time of fight night, which has led to widespread criticism of the encounter.
Paul and Tyson are expected to fight under traditional rules, with rumors of headgear being in use dismissed.
The fight could even be sanctioned as a professional bout, which would be Tyson’s first since retirement after losing to Kevin McBride in 2005.
After a warning from a doctor over potential brain damage surfaced, Tyson’s trainer Rafael Cordeiro has insisted that ‘Iron Mike’ is in perfect condition to compete.
He said on the MMA Hour: “I believe we don’t have to be concerned about it. We’re talking about a two-time world champion.
“The guy didn’t have 20 fights in two years, he knows how to fight. He’s fought against the best guys in the world.
“When he steps inside the ring he knows what to do. It’s not something new for Mike, and this fight is no different.
“He works hard every single day to go in there and try to knock Jake out from the beginning to the end. He’s going to prove that in July.
“You can see fire in his eyes when he trains, and he will never give less than that.
“Mike is going to step into the ring as the old Mike Tyson, and he’s going to try and knock out Jake from the beginning to the end.”
Tyson showed that he still possesses some of his elite natural boxing skills in his exhibition with Roy Jones Jr in 2020.
But facing a 27-year-old athlete could pose new problems, with questions over his punch resistance looming over the clash.
Training footage of Tyson’s has received mixed reviews, with fans suggesting that the former undisputed champion could be in trouble on the night.
While others have been mesmerized by his natural power, which has been used as a justification online for the fight to be sanctioned.
Tyson’s career has been full of highs, becoming the youngest-ever heavyweight world champion aged 20 back in November 1986.
But a KO defeat to Paul could be a damaging blow to his legacy in the boxing ring, despite the prospect of earning a huge $20million purse.
