Boxing

Mike Tyson's former opponents reveal what it's like to face Jake Paul's latest rival

DAZN

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Mike Tyson returns to the ring this weekend when he goes in with Jake Paul.

One of boxing's best fighters at his peak, Tyson put fear in the majority of his opponents as he reigned as world heavyweight champion on two occasions.

Here, DAZN looks at the fighters who shared a ring with Tyson as they deliver their memories of what it felt like being in the ring with him.

Marvis Frazier

"I threw a jab and I don't remember anything else." said the son of Joe Frazier when speaking to Boxing News .

Larry Holmes

In an interview with The Ring , Larry Holmes said, "When I fought Mike Tyson, I was off for two years. I hadn't been in shape to fight him and they gave me two months to get ready.

"Tyson's a good puncher, he's down low. He was good, he was short and he had to get up to get to you.”

Michael Spinks

"He was very strong. I don’t know what made him so strong. Mike Tyson was most definitely the biggest puncher I ever fought," stated Spinks when giving his thoughts to The Ring .

Read next | Can Mike Tyson beat Jake Paul?

Julius Francis

"I only remember the first knockdown. I thought, ‘Who the f--k do you think you are hitting me? So I went toe-to-toe with him. If I had boxed and run around the ring I do not think I would have got any respect from him. I’ve got no regrets," said Francis when reflecting on his two round battle with Tyson with Talksport.

Lennox Lewis

Lennox Lewis, who fought Tyson in 2002, spoke to Boxing News about their fight, "I felt his power in the beginning of the fight. Early on I wanted to control the ring, but so did he and I realised I was fighting his fight.

"He threw a couple of nice shots that clipped me and my trainer Emanuel Steward said, 'Why are you fighting like that? You're giving him a chance.' Even though I was in control I was always careful. I couldn't presume the fight was won before it was."

Danny Williams

"The first thing that shocked me was his punching power. He was so fast as well, it was scary. When he first hit me, it was a weird feeling. It was easily the hardest I've ever been punched. I was expecting it, but it still came as a shock," was the verdict from Danny Williams when talking to The Ring.

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