Lennox Lewis fought and stopped Mike Tyson in 2002. 22 years later, the American is set to make a comeback.
Lewis out-boxed and overpowered ‘Iron’ Mike to stop him in the eighth round. Tyson would fight on three more occasions spread across three years, eventually retiring after a loss to Kevin McBride by admitting he no longer ‘had the stomach for boxing’ and had lost his ferocity.
It was a surprise to many then when the 58-year-old announced he would face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul this year.
Paul is thirty years Tyson’s junior and, although levels beneath him in terms of talent, has been active and packs a punch. It’s for that reason many in the sport are calling the fight unacceptable and dangerous for the former undisputed heavyweight champ.
Not Lewis. The Brit told IFL TV that he doesn’t believe his former foe ban be hurt in the bout, set for eight two-minute rounds.
“I don’t think Jake Paul can hurt Mike Tyson. That’s what I think. I think Mike basically has to catch up to Jake Paul. Jake Paul’s not gonna be there and trying to get hit by Mike Tyson. Mike Tyson really knows how to break down opponents and I think he’s gonna try and break him down and take him out.”
In a separate interview with Boxing News, ‘The Lion’ said he was concerned for Paul, not Tyson.
“What are they concerned about? Mike Tyson knows how to defend himself and he’s boxing against a guy that’s as good a boxer as he is. Mike knows how to throw a good punch, how to break you down, so I’m more concerned about the other guy.”
