Lennox Lewis is not fearful of Mike Tyson’s health as he prepares to return against Jake Paul.
Heavyweight legend Tyson has been subject to health concerns from the boxing world as he prepares for his comeback fight at the age of 58 against Paul on November 15.
The icon is far from his physical prime, and many fans are fearful that Paul could win by KO and do serious physical damage to ‘Iron Mike’ as well as put an irreversible stain on Tyson’s professional record.
But Tyson’s ex-rival Lennox Lewis, who beat him in 2002 for the undisputed belts, insists that his concern is for Paul given the legend’s ferocious punching power.
He told Boxing News: “What are they concerned about?
“Mike Tyson knows how to defend himself and he’s boxing against a guy who is not as good as he is.
“Mike Tyson knows how to throw a good punch and break you down.
“I’m more concerned about the other guy.”
Tyson had a remarkable KO record during his heyday, with 44 of his 50 professional wins coming by that method.
But this was at the peak of his powers, and Tyson declined physically at the back end of his career, losing three of his last four fights before retiring as a professional in 2005.
The clash with Paul comes 19 years after that date, with Tyson having fought just once since, in an exhibition against Roy Jones Jones in 2020.
It is a professional clash which will be tough for the veteran, but he has been posting training footage in a bid to prove his fitness.
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Despite concerns from figures central to Tyson’s career, he has refused to end his quest and believes it is the right decision to take the risk.
Even though he has worryingly admitted he has been struggling after sparring in preparation for Paul.
“I could be waiting on a check every day from cannabis,’’ Tyson said. That’s bulls*** for me. I’m a man.
“I want to go out there and I want to expose myself to risk. Sometimes I want to see who I really am.
“I want to see what I’m really made out of. I want to perform in front of the world.
“To me, that’s all I ever knew how to do since I was 14. This fight is not going to change my life financially enough.
“This is just what I want to do. It’s hard to walk right now. But two months from now I’m going to be perfect.
“The fight is won in the gym. Listen, I’ll do anything that will help me.
“I’m going to enjoy my time here tonight with all my childhood friends, and the hell with Jake Paul.”
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