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Mike Tyson thinks Tyson Fury will beat Oleksandr Usyk when they clash for the undisputed world championship this weekend.

The two best heavyweights in boxing will battle it out for the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF belts at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.

Opinions are split on who will win the fight and become the first-ever four-belt heavyweight champion, but ‘Iron Mike’ is backing his namesake to emerge victoriously.

“I look forward to that fight,” Tyson told FightHype.

READ NEXT :Footage of Mike Tyson and Jake Paul first face off has fans thinking the fight is already done

“That is going to be an interesting fight. I’m going towards Tyson Fury because I think he’s just going to overpower him. He’s going to catch up with him and overpower him.

“I got to go with Fury. I think he’s the best fighter in the world, especially in the heavyweight division.”

Mike Tyson made bold Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk prediction after expertly  breaking down fight

Fury had a poor performance in his last fight against Francis Ngannou.

The former UFC heavyweight champion should have been easy work for ‘The Gypsy King’ as he made his boxing debut when they fought last October.

However, he ended up dropping Fury before coming away with a contentious split decision defeat that aged badly as Anthony Joshua easily knocked out Ngannou earlier this year.

The heavyweight legend isn’t paying too much attention to Fury’s last showing.

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He added: “Great fighters lose, great fighters look bad, that doesn’t stop them from being great fighters.

🚨 Mike Tyson makes Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk prediction ahead of  undisputed clash

“He made that night a great night. He gave Francis [Ngannou] the opportunity, and that was just a bad night at the office for him.

“We all have bad nights, and listen, that was his bad night.”

Tyson would usually be sitting in the front row for a bout like this, but it’s currently unclear if he will make the trip for Fury vs Usyk.

Amazingly, the 57-year-old has a big fight of his own coming up this summer.

RELATED :Deontay Wilder declares nobody gives a f**k about Iron Mike Tyson as he prepares to fight Jake Paul

Oleksandr Usyk takes aim at Tyson Fury’s physique as ‘Gypsy King’ reveals  weight and calls him skinny and nerv

Controversy and concern surround the strange matchup, but Tyson insists his fight with Paul is legitimate and will end with him scoring a ruthless KO.

Tony Bellew is not the only one who feels this way if Mike Tyson gets hurt by Jake Paul

Jake Paul needs to undertand one thing, those of us who grew up watching Mike Tyson fight have gone through his transformation from the scariest man on the planet to the funny and wise uncle who is always high. Even during the face-off against Jake Paul, you could see Mike Tyson is no longer the same tough man who instilled fear on every single one of his opponents. He laughed and reminded all of us he has evolved, but has he evolved past violence? If that is the case, then Jake Paul does have a chance to beat him. But if Tyson’s violent self is still there, he will more than likely knock Jake Paul out when they fight. Still, that funny uncle is an image many of his cherish. So does Tony Bellew.

🚨 Tony Bellew admits he is worried about 'nuts' Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul  clash

Speaking to Boyle Sports, Tony Bellew explained the reason he is against the fight and even threatened Jake Paul if he hurts Tyson. He said: “Mike is probably getting between $20-50 million for this fight, I’m not going to lie, I’d do it. Everyone has got a price. But if Jake Paul hurts Mike Tyson it would absolutely kill me. If he hurt Mike Tyson and then I run into Jake Paul, I’d chin him, quite happily. I would even spend a couple weeks in the big house for that. It’s a sad, sad day. It’s not a professional contest really because only women fight two minute rounds, men do not fight two minutes. But Jake Paul is so f*****g pig headed, he wants it to go on Mike Tyson’s record. Hopefully Mike chins him and puts him to sleep in six or seven seconds.”

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight 'will be staged to some degree' after boxing  icon was 'forgotten about'

He continued: “The age Tyson is at, he could be Jake Paul’s grandfather, so it’s sad really. It should have been left as an exhibition. But that’s who he is, he’s after clout and fame. I just hope Mike has that one punch left in him. He will never lose that punch, he’s lost the snap and sharpness of it, but if he turns a right hand over and hits Jake Paul on the chin, the boy is going to sleep. But at 58 years old it’s f*****g frightening, this is show business. This really isn’t boxing. I don’t think Netflix cares about Mike’s health, they generated $25billion last year. Netflix doesn’t give a s**t about Mike Tyson. No one cares and the saddest part is, Mike knows that – he’s been there, done it and got the T-shirt.”

Lennox Lewis has issued a word of concern for Jake Paul before the 27-year-old steps into the ring to fight Mike Tyson on July 20, despite Tyson fighting just once in 20 years.

Lewis, who was the last undisputed heavyweight champion in boxing, is regarded as one of the finest fighters ever and the best British fighter of all-time. That means he knows what he’s talking about and he called for Paul to be very weary of Tyson’s power.

Tyson’s preparing for his first professional fight since 2005 and there has been a wealth of concern about his long-term health if he sustains a series of head blows at the age of 58, but Lewis is looking at it differently as he worries for the inexperienced Paul.

READ NEXT :Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson winner made fight offer by UFC legend who knocked out Evander Holyfield in under two minutes

“I’m concerned for Jake Paul,” Lewis told The Guardian. “Tyson still knows how to punch, as you can see when he’s hitting a bag.

Lennox Lewis Breaks Down Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul

“If Jake Paul gets hit by one of those punches, he’s going to feel it. I know Jake Paul doesn’t want to get hit. Tyson comes forward and he knows how to cut off the ring. It could be a matter of time, as how good is Jake Paul’s defence?

“I saw Mike a couple of weeks ago and he looked good. He was walking around without a shirt and showing off his body so he’s getting ready.”

The fight will take place on July 20 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and will be streamed by Netflix for the first time ever, but the most interesting details are in the rules for the officially sanctioned professional fight.

JUST IN :Stephen A. Smith disgusted by Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson being sanctioned as a professional boxing bout

The pair will compete in eight, two-minute rounds and will use 140z gloves. This is different to the typical regulation of 12, three-minute round fights with 10oz gloves. The glove change means that the gloves will be softer and cushioned whilst heavier, meaning the fighters will also lose speed in throwing.

Lennox Lewis gives fascinating answer when asked if he could make shock  return like Mike Tyson

How did Lennox Lewis stop Mike Tyson? Can Jake Paul get tips?

Lewis has stepped into the ring to face Tyson once, and he emerged unscathed and victorious, so how did it happen? Can Jake Paul get any tips from watching The Lion’s fight in 2002, titled Lewis-Tyson: Is on?

On the night in Memphis, Tennessee, Lewis dominated the bout, showcasing his superior boxing skills and strategy. He utilized his height and reach advantage effectively, keeping Tyson at bay with his jab and landing powerful combinations.

RELATED :EXCLUSIVE :Jake Paul predicts Mike Tyson fight will end in death in controversial message

Tyson struggled to find his rhythm and was unable to mount any significant offense and in the eighth round, Lewis unleashed a barrage of punches that overwhelmed Tyson, leading to a knockdown.

Colby Covington brands Jake Paul a snake and calls YouTuber’s KO of Ben  Askren a work

Despite Tyson’s efforts to continue, the referee stopped the fight, declaring Lennox Lewis the winner by technical knockout. It was a decisive victory for Lewis, solidifying his status as one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time.

UPDATE :EXCLUSIVE: Boxing in danger of becoming a circus after Mike Tyson fight with Jake Paul sanctioned

Although a question will always remain, what would have happened if Tyson had been at his peak instead of at the end of his career?

Mike Tyson is eagerly training and counting down the days until his fight against Jake Paul. During his press run, a podcast host completely erased the excitement by hitting Mike with the wrong question, and this was his response that sucked the air out of the room.

Tyson asked to predict Jake Paul fight

Tyson teased the clip from the Damon Elliott Show on his Instagram account, where his 29 million followers were not shy about voicing their opinions.

READ NEXT :EXCLUSIVE: Boxing in danger of becoming a circus after Mike Tyson fight with Jake Paul sanctioned

“That interviewer playing with fire,” one fan said, generating over 3,000 likes on the comment.

Mike Tyson Jake Paul Netflix fight: Promoters offer $2 million VIP package

Tyson did not appreciate Elliott’s question asking him for a prediction, as if he would choose a winner other than himself. Not only that, but the host also brought up Tyson’s famous bite on Evander Holyfield, drawing ire from Tyson’s loyal fan base.

“Mike you should’ve mauled his ear for bringing that shyt up,” another IG comment said.

The 57-year-old made the move to go sober as he prepares to fight Jake Paul, and careful observers believe that may be contributing to his tense attitude.

JUST IN :Deontay Wilder declares nobody gives a f**k about Iron Mike Tyson as he prepares to fight Jake Paul

“Sober Tyson seems so much more uneasy like dynamite ready to blow,” wrote one fan.

Jake Paul's shocking prediction for the fight against Mike Tyson: One of us  has to die | Marca

Cardio is a clear priority for the “Baddest Man on the Planet,” who recently gave up smoking marijuana to prepare his lungs the fight taking place at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, on July 20th.

RELATED :Mike Tyson undergoes drastic diet change ahead of Jake Paul fight

The Netflix boxing event will be a full circle moment for Paul, who knocked out Nate Robinson on the undercard of Tyson’s fight with Roy Jones Jr. in 2020.

Mike Tyson is one of the hardest-hitting heavyweights in boxing history and his record of rapid knockouts does little to disprove it.

Jake Paul will be wary of facing the former champion, even at the age of 58, as he managed to end 44 of his wins inside the distance.

He will be hoping to add the 27-year-old to his impressive highlights reel of knockouts over the years when they face each other on July 20 in Texas.

READ NEXT :Lennox Lewis fight was a turning point for Mike Tyson as one moment paved the way for The Hangover and a whole new fanbase to lead to Jake Paul

It will be welcome news for Tyson that the exhibition rules allowed knockouts, as he earned his reputation for being one of the most lethal and rapid knockout kings during his illustrious career.

But could he really secure a knockout inside the first minute?

Mike Tyson’s best knockouts

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul disagree on who proposed fight rules

Clifford Etienne – 49 Seconds (2003)

Like TysonEtienne was a big puncher, who had built an impressive 24-1-1 record up to that point including 17 KOs. While Etienne came out swinging, he was almost immediately knocked down by Tyson‘s powerful right hand.

Michael Johnson – 39 seconds (1985)

Remarkably, this bout could have been over even quicker had Johnson not got himself back to his feet after the first 20 seconds. The American got himself back to his feet, only to be dealt a brutal overhand right seconds later to finish him off.

Ricardo Spain – 39 seconds (1985)

Tyson made his television debut by dispatching of Spain in exactly the same time as Johnson. In spookily similar fashion, he fell to the canvas after a similar time in the fight and got back up, but a vicious right hand did the job for Tyson.

Jake Paul reveals and exposes instigator who pushed for Mike Tyson fight to  go pro | Marca

Lou Savarese – 38 seconds (2000)

Perhaps one of his more controversial fights, ‘Iron Mike’ dropped his opponent in 15 seconds and Savarese‘s knees gave way as he tried to get up.

JUST IN :Stephen A. Smith disgusted by Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson being sanctioned as a professional boxing bout

Referee John Coyle tried to stop the fight at that point, but Tyson continued aiming punches and as he tried to catch Savarese again, he caught Coyle with a powerful blow. To his credit, he leapt to his feet to wave off the contest.

Robert Colay – 37 seconds (1985)

In his 10th professional fight, Tyson laid out Colay with a massive left hook that knocked him opponent down. The fast nature of the defeat was humiliating enough for Colay to take a five-year absence from boxing before returning in 1990.

Deontay Wilder has ridiculed the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight by declaring that, “nobody gives a f**k” about one of the fighters.

No, it’s not Paul. That’s right, the words are for Iron Mike as he prepares to return to the ring.

The event will see the 27-year-old Paul step in to fight the 58-year-old Tyson, who has been out of the pro game since 2005, at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on July 20 in a professional fight that will be streamed by Netflix.

It’s highly controversial as people believe Tyson is too old and he risks serious damage to his health, despite possessing a greater talent volume than Paul. As Tyson Fury once said, “the mind wants but the body will not.”

READ NEXT :Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson winner made fight offer by UFC legend who knocked out Evander Holyfield in under two minutes

And now Wilder is the latest to discredit the fight. The American, nicknamed the Bronze Bomber, is the ex-WBC heavyweight champion and is one of the leading names in the sport and he’s voiced his displeasure loudly.

Concussion expert outlines worry for Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul as Deontay  Wilder weighs in - Dexerto

“I think it’s bad the commission has licensed Mike Tyson because he hasn’t been active in 20 years,” Wilder told Sportsbook Review. “So, they should not just license him because of who he is, that’s how people get hurt.

God forbid he gets hurt…He’s too old for this. At the end of the day, no one gives a f**k about Mike, because if they did they wouldn’t sanction the fight. I don’t want the last thing I remember of him to be him getting knocked out by a YouTuber.”

As aforementioned, the fight will take place on July 20 at the AT&T Stadium, which is the home of the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL. It will be aired by Netflix.

JUST IN :EXCLUSIVE: Boxing in danger of becoming a circusafter Mike Tyson fight with Jake Paul sanctioned

But the interesting details are found in the length of rounds, total of rounds and the gloves used. It gives an indication of just how keen the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation is to protect the iconic Iron Mike.

Deontay Wilder delivers Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight verdict with worrying  assessment - Boxing - Sports - Daily Express US

The rounds will only be two-minutes long and there will only be eight of them. The fighters will also use softer gloves with 14oz gloves to be used as the pair go to town, instead of the standard 10oz.

RELATED :Jake Paul reiterates respect for Mike Tyson but says he has to end him during July fight

“The safety of the contestants competing in the ring,” the TDLR said. “Or the octagon, is always the primary concern.”

Mike Tyson will take on social media star Jake Paul in a controversial heavyweight fight this summer which has been sanctioned as a professional bout

Deontay Wilder fears Jake Paul could leave Mike Tyson in a coma after their controversial fight this summer.

Heavyweight legend Tyson will return to the ring at the age of 58 to take on social media star Paul in Texas in July. The fight has been sanctioned as a professional bout with the rivals taking each other on over eight two-minute rounds. But fears have been raised about Tyson’s health with doctors warning he faces suffering brain damage.

READ NEXT :Lennox Lewis fight was a turning point for Mike Tyson as one moment paved the way for The Hangover and a whole new fanbase to lead to Jake Paul

And former heavyweight world champion Wilder also fears Tyson could be endangering his health. “I think it’s bad the commission has licensed Mike Tyson because he hasn’t been active in 20 years, so they should not just licence him because of who he is, that’s how people get hurt, god forbid he gets hurt,” he told Sportsbook Review.

Jake Paul-Mike Tyson tickets go on sale May 16, 120K+ presale | wfaa.com

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are set to lock horns in a huge bout on May 18 with each fighter attempting to etch their name in boxing history as the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999. The stakes couldn’t be higher as the pair will go head to head for the prestigious WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF titles.

“People can get hit in the wrong place and at the wrong time, there’s lots of examples where guys have been hit into a coma. It’s easy to do. He’s too old for this. At the end of the day, no one gives a f*** about Mike. We can talk about the pros and cons, but at the end of the day, they don’t give a f***. I don’t think anyone cares about Mike because if they did they wouldn’t sanction the fight.

JUST IN :Jake Paul is not satisfied with Mike Tyson alone and sends a clear message to Canelo Alvarez after his win over Munguia

“They may say they’ve done tests and all that, ok, but as long as you’re willing to suffer the consequences if something bad goes wrong. His power may not have left completely but you still need to set it up, your stamina needs to be a certain way, or it’s going to look like a clown show.

Boxing legend Mike Tyson to face off against Jake Paul in July bout: 'I  plan to finish him' | Fox News

“I don’t want to see it to be honest. I don’t want to see one of my legends fight a YouTuber. If he goes in there and he knocks Mike out, that’s going to tarnish the reputation of Mike. I don’t want the last thing I remember of him is him getting knocked out by a YouTuber. The last thing you do, that’s what people remember you by.”

RELATED NEWS :Stephen A. Smith disgusted by Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson being sanctioned as a professional boxing bout

Meanwhile, Wilder admitted he has difficulty splitting Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk who meet next weekend for the undisputed heavyweight crown. “I really don’t know, I’m on the fence. I honestly do not know because although Usyk is smaller, he will manoeuvre around. Usyk still has the power and speed to do certain things,” he said. “You can’t count Usyk out just because Fury’s so tall. I hope they handle business, put in a great show and leave the ring with good health. I have no dog in the fight.

Mike Tyson hasn’t fought professionally since losing to Kevin McBride 19 years ago but will make his comeback against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in July aged 58

Boxing will be “seen as a circus” if Mike Tyson’s fight with Jake Paul remains a professional bout, one of the UK’s top promoters has warned.

Ex-heavyweight champion Tyson, 57, is set to make his return to professional boxing in July after a 19-year hiatus to take on YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul in Texas. Paul is 30 years younger than Tyson, who will be 58 by the time the controversial fight takes place.

READ NEXT :Lennox Lewis fight was a turning point for Mike Tyson as one moment paved the way for The Hangover and a whole new fanbase to lead to Jake Paul

There are huge concerns about Tyson’s health heading into the fight. The veteran has been seen using a wheelchair and walking cane in recent years, while his training videos have asked rather than answered questions about his fitness.

Mike Tyson admits he's 'scared to death' about Jake Paul fight | Fox News

Tyson’s fight with Paul was initially expected to be an exhibition due to the former’s age. But last week, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR) sanctioned it as professional. Speaking to Mirror Sport in New York before that decision was made, Boxxer CEO Ben Shalom was asked whether he would promote such a fight.

“As long as it’s clear that it’s not real boxing, I think definitely,” Shalom replied. “It’s a spectacle, it’s a form of entertainment.”

The promoter added: “There’s no way you can justify a 57-year-old fighting in a professional fight. For me, that’s where things need to be clear, and then the sport doesn’t suffer. I think it does suffer if boxing is seen as a circus. But as a form of entertainment, people can do what they want.”

Jake Paul makes promise to 'end' Mike Tyson | Marca

Paul has faced criticism during his boxing career. The YouTuber turned professional in 2020 but has since fought mostly little-known boxers or MMA fighters. He boasts a 9-1 record, with his only loss coming against former Love Island star Tommy Fury.

Shalom believes anyone can transition into professional boxing if they’re good enough, but he’s struggling to justify Tyson’s comeback fight. “Viddal Riley is a big YouTuber and a fantastic professional boxer who we have (at Boxxer).

“Professional boxing is professional, so there’s a certain standard required. I think anyone can do that, and it doesn’t matter what their background is.

JUST IN :Jake Paul bulking up to same weight as Anthony Joshua ahead of Mike Tyson clash

“But a 57-year-old in a ring can’t be classed as professional boxing – as much as it’s a fantastic event. I think as long as it’s advertised as such… My biggest problem with the whole YouTuber boxing was it perhaps not being clear that this is a celebrity fight. Celebrities fighting is very, very different to professional athletes.”

Jake Paul, Mike Tyson boxing match to be sanctioned as a professional bout

The controversial fight between Tyson and Paul will be streamed live on Netflix, as the service tries to break into live sport. ” Mike Tyson wanted it to be a pro fight,” Paul wrote on X after the bout was sanctioned as professional. “Netflix wanted it to be a pro fight. So I agreed to make it a pro fight. Winner takes all.”

RELATED :Jake Paul reiterates respect for Mike Tyson but says he has to end him during July fight

Tyson added on X: “Yes, it’s a real sanctioned fight with Jake Paul.”

Mike Tyson is eating ‘raw meat’ ahead of his upcoming clash with Jake Paul.

Paul and Tyson square off in a highly controversial professional bout at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on July 20.

The 57-year-old, who hasn’t competed in the paid ranks since losing to Kevin McBride in 2005, will box Paul at heavyweight over eight, two-minute rounds.

Following his retirement from the sport, his diet spiralled out of control.

READ NEXT :Jake Paul bulking up to same weight as Anthony Joshua ahead of Mike Tyson clash

A staple of steak, alcohol and drugs saw the former undisputed heavyweight champion balloon up to 27 stone.

After five years of binge eating, he adopted a vegan diet to help him shift the weight and alleviate some of his health problems.

Mike Tyson v Jake Paul sanctioned as professional boxing match - and rules  announced | Ents & Arts News | Sky News

During an interview with Damon Elliott, Tyson was asked what he was eating in preparation for his next fight.

A topless Tyson responded: “Raw meat.”

Elliott replied: “Seriously, Mike? You’re eating raw meat?”

To which, Tyson exclaimed: “I’m going to have to eat it now because my opponent’s going to be raw meat.”

Paul is also undergoing a big shift in his eating habits.

JUST IN :Lennox Lewis fight was a turning point for Mike Tyson as one moment paved the way for The Hangover and a whole new fanbase to lead to Jake Paul

The YouTuber-turned-boxer is plowing through food as he piles on the pounds for his heavyweight debut.

Jake Paul makes promise to 'end' Mike Tyson | Marca

“It’s just like shocking to people that that is how much I weigh,” Paul said on his podcast.

“I think just because normally I’m fighting at 200 and walking around at 210. It’s weird to me that I’m weighing 230.

“But since this was noodling after my last fight I’m just getting to eat as much as possible and it turns out my body carries this weight super well.

RELATED NEWS :Jake Paul is not satisfied with Mike Tyson alone and sends a clear message to Canelo Alvarez after his win over Munguia

“And I’m only growing. I think I’ll get up to 240 and probably cut down so I’m like way faster.

Mike Tyson’s loss to Lennox Lewis marked the end of his time as an elite-level heavyweight boxer, but the beginning of his unlikely renaissance with the sporting public.

Everything aligned that June in 2002 when two of the division’s greats collided, which ultimately created a personal and professional rock bottom for Tyson.

Struggling with drink, drugs, debt, lawsuits, depression and rage, the then 35-year-old had the last remnants of his ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ reputation crushed by Lewis as the hotly-anticipated showdown ended in a one-sided beating and knockout.

READ NEXT :Jake Paul reiterates respect for Mike Tyson but says he has to end him during July fight

But Tyson’s courage in the ring and his gracious behaviour afterwards were the first steps on his public recovery. A path that led from hangovers to ‘The Hangover’; and from being a pariah to one of the most popular ex-sportspeople on the planet at 57 – an age many thought Tyson would never reach. Least of all himself, many years earlier.

Lennox Lewis shares brutal Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul simulation that predicts  devastating finish

The bad blood before the Lewis-Tyson fight had been intense. “I want your heart, I want to eat his children,” snarled Tyson about a then child-less Lewis after his first-round KO of Lou Savarese in Glasgow. When the pair later came face-to-face to promote their contest, Tyson stalked across the stage to attack Lewis.

“Put him in a straight jacket!” shouted a member of the media, prompting an expletive-filled rant from ‘Iron Mike’ – one that you probably wouldn’t want your own mother to hear, let alone a watching worldwide TV audience. Tyson’s actions were so outrageous that even Las Vegas – ‘Sin City’ itself – voted against staging a fight that would be the biggest PPV hit of its era, selling 1.95million buys in the USA alone.

JUST IN :Jake Paul is not satisfied with Mike Tyson alone and sends a clear message to Canelo Alvarez after his win over Munguia

Instead Tyson’s challenge for Lewis’s world titles took place in Memphis, Tennessee. Except it wasn’t much of a challenge. After a lively first round, Tyson – who had peaked at a far younger age than his opponent – ground to a halt under a steady barrage of Lewis jabs and uppercuts. In the eighth round, with Tyson bleeding over both eyes and from the nose, Lewis finally knocked him out with a booming right hand.

Mike Tyson vs Lennox Lewis Picks | SportsBettingSites

Tyson, the vulgar street thug, who was jailed for rape, had been vanquished in his last heavyweight title fight. Yet in the aftermath, public opinion was already turning his way. As Lewis and Tyson paid one another respect in the ring, ‘Iron Mike’ admitted that his pre-fight insults were just part of the hype, pausing to gently wipe away blood from Lewis’s face mid-interview. The man who had wanted to eat Lewis’s kids was now telling him how much he loved the Brit and his mother.

“The little gesture of me wiping the blood off Lennox’s cheek was seized on by all the boxing writers,” Tyson said later. “They thought that I had been heroic in defeat. And for the first time, a lot of them started to see the human side behind my facade.”

RELATED NEWS :Mike Tyson on surprising technique he used before every fight: ‘Only certain people get it’

In his changing room post-fight Tyson was interviewed again, this time cradling his young baby Miguel in his arms. “Daddy had a bad day at the office,” Tyson replied when playfully asked what Miguel made of the fight.