- Jeff Fenech has spoken of his pride in Mike Tyson
- Tyson, 57, has turned his life around
- Fenech backs Tyson to beat Jake Paul in two rounds
Jeff Fenech has spoken of his pride in Mike Tyson after seeing his close companion turn his life around, and backs the former heavyweight king to emphatically beat Jake Paul in their mega fight.
Australian boxing great Fenech helped train Tyson for his most recent boxing fight, a 2020 exhibition contest against Roy Jones Jr, and believes Iron MIke will dispatch YouTuber Paul in two rounds when they meet on July 20 in Texas .
“I have no doubt that if Mike takes it easy and doesn’t try to hit at the same time, if he makes Jake Paul miss, Mike will knock him out in a couple of rounds. One hundred percent,” Fenech told Wide World of Sports .
“I talked to Mike and told him what I felt. I hope you listen to me. We said the same thing anyway. If he does what he said, I have no doubt he will knock him out. He won’t have any problems.
Jeff Fenech has revealed his pride in his close friend and great boxer Mike Tyson
Fenech trained Tyson for a short period and remains close to the former champion
The great Australian boxer is amazed by Tyson’s transformation in later life
Fenech trained Tyson before his shock defeat to Kevin McBride in 2006 and has maintained a close relationship with the popular American, revealing they remain in touch.
‘We are still close. “He has contacted me three or four times since I was sick to check that I am okay,” Fenech said.
‘We were talking about my health and stuff. I’m not worried about my health, don’t get me wrong, I am, but I’m more worried about him and I hope he does the right thing to beat Jake Paul.
‘If Mike hits it clean. If he makes you fail, he will make you pay. If he doesn’t try to attack at the same time and is patient, the fight could be over in a minute.
‘This is all about money and social media shit. I don’t know anything about it because I don’t like that stuff.
‘Imagine how much money they are making on social media without even fighting. They’d be making a fortune, with sponsorship and all that. It’s crazy.’
Fenech has backed Iron Mike to knock out Jake Paul in two rounds on July 20.
Fenech remembers being with Tyson during his lowest moments and says he is incredibly proud of the heavyweight’s transformation in later life.
I told Mike you don’t know how proud I am of you. How you have changed everything around you. Since I have been with him things have been difficult,” Fenech revealed.
“One time I walked into the house and saw him on the couch and thought he was dead, the way he was lying there. He must have been out all night.
‘Now I look at where it is and I think… Shit, is this the light? Because she used to call it a light switch.
‘When it’s on; he is on. When he is off; he is off. Is this the same boy? But is he. It has been an important transformation. I give the credit to his wife.
‘He has a beautiful wife and a beautiful family. He’s surrounded by good people right now and that’s what life is all about.
‘If you are surrounded by good people, good things happen. You don’t do bad things because you are surrounded by good people.