Mike Tyson has been labelled a ‘unicorn’ despite doubts over his fitness ahead of a fight with Jake Paul.
Tyson has announced that he will return to the ring aged 58 to face YouTube boxer Paul on July 20, despite concerns for his health.
Footage recently emerged from Iron Mike’s camp of him completing a 30-yard sprint, which fans believed showed he was so far away from being in good enough condition to compete.
But former bodybuilder Brad Rowe, who helped train Tyson for his exhibition clash with Roy Jones Jr in 2020, believes he is capable of working a miracle in the ring despite his performance in running drills.
Rowe told USA TODAY: “Mike is a unicorn. He is stiff and uncoordinated in so many aspects of training.
“Then when he enters the ring he turns into a ballerina. It’s unexplainable.’’
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He then recalled telling Tyson to take it easy during similar drills in their camp four years ago.
He continued: “Day 1 he’s like, ‘No, (expletive) you. I’m sprinting’. “So I was like, ‘All right. Let’s pray for no injuries today.’
“We’d go to this tennis court and he would like jog around the corners and sprint the straightaways and I’d be, like, I didn’t want him doing it.
“Because especially with someone older, an athlete like that that’s not used to that explosive moment.’’
The notorious power-puncher has shown he is clearly determined to prove his fitness, despite concerns that he could be injured prior to his meeting with Paul.
His training footage has received mixed reception, with some of the boxing world actually impressed with his raw power on the pads.
Boxing fans worry for Jake Paul against Mike Tyson as montage shows the difference in their training regimes
Tyson’s rival, the ‘Problem Child’, has suggested he is nervous to face the boxing veteran after watching the recent dash.
He said: “Yeah, he was sprinting! It’s motivating, I think. It’s good to carry fear into the ring and with you on a daily basis when you’re training because it makes you better.
“He definitely is looking like a f***ing animal. I will say people are underestimating me.
“When I go to his comments, they’re saying if Mike loses then fighting is rigged.
“They see how good he looks on the mitts but Mike looking good on the mitts is not even half the battle, he’s got to face me in the ring.
“I think he might be seeing these videos and his confidence is growing.”
