Larry Holmes knows about Mike Tyson's power better than most people, and the former world heavyweight champion believes the "Baddest Man on the Planet" is the favourite in his fight against Jake Paul this week.
Tyson and Paul will square off Friday in Texas, with "Iron Mike" making a return to professional boxing after decades away from the ring. Paul, 27, boasts a three-decade age advantage on 58-year-old Tyson, but Holmes isn't convinced that youth will be enough for the social media star-turned-boxer to overcome his older opponent.
Holmes, who was knocked out in the fourth round of his undisputed world heavyweight title fight against Tyson in 1988, says that while Tyson isn't the hardest puncher he faced in his near 30-year pro boxing career, "Iron Mike" is the most brutal and relentless opponent he's taken on — and he's expecting the same ferocity from Tyson against Paul.
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“I fought Mike and he hit me and that was the end of it," Holmes told OLBG. "Earnie Shavers was the hardest I've ever faced but when Tyson hits, he tries to kill you.
“Mike knocked the s—t out of me, he hit me so hard I went ‘wooooo’. And he beat me. It was embarrassing. I remember the right hand he hit me with - I thought at the time ‘he should be locked up’ because of the power, and he kept on coming, growling like Joe Frazier. That’s the fight I’m expecting Mike to put on. Jake has to survive that."
Holmes only sees one strategy working for Paul against Tyson, and that's to utilize his agility and athleticism to keep the former undisputed champion at bay.
“If Jake moves like Larry Holmes did, around in circles, ducking punches then he might be able to survive," he said. "But if he doesn't move around, duck Mike’s punches, he’s not going to make it.
“If he doesn’t get Mike’s respect early, Mike is going to run over him, believe me. He has to hit Mike hard right off the bat otherwise it’s goodnight, Irene
“Mike Tyson doesn't care about anything, he’ll fight you right now, even though he’s not in any shape. And he’s going to hit you, and when he does that, it’s all over. Mike is ready for it. He won’t be taking any punches in training. If I'm betting my money it’s on Mike.”
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