BJ Flores knows Jake Paul as well as anyone from a professional perspective after spending a sustained period of time as the fighter’s trainer.
The popular YouTuber’s rise from boxing novice to someone who’s about to face Mike Tyson, has been an eventful one, and Flores was there for the vast majority of it.
Now Paul’s ex-trainer, Flores is still in regular contact with his former charge as he gets ready to take on Tyson next month.
The event, set to be one of the biggest boxing shows of 2024, will see Tyson have his first professional fight in nearly two decades following his 2005 loss to Kevin McBride.
At the peak of his powers, Tyson was arguably boxing’s best fighter as his combination of speed and power made him one of the biggest names in sport.
Since retiring from the ring, Tyson has partaken in some exhibition bouts, but the Paul clash is as real as it gets.
Flores himself was a world class cruiserweight contender when active, with his most notable fight being a loss to Tony Bellew for world title honours in 2016.
His run as Paul’s coach would often put him in the spotlight, and now he’s had his say on how Paul vs. Tyson could play out.
“Have you ever heard the term don’t poke the bear? Don’t make him too angry," said Flores when speaking to Fred Talks Fighting.
"If Jake stays outside and boxes, taunts and feints and uses his legs a little bit to get Mike tired, I think he’s gonna beat him for sure.
“If he gets on the inside with that low centre of gravity that Tyson has and his explosive shots, I don’t care how old he is he can still knock you out.
“He’s not gonna have the gas tank he wants to have, no question about it, but he’s gonna be dangerous early. Jake’s gotta respect that, stay long, and don’t poke the bear."
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