Mike Tyson may be nicknamed Iron Mike – but trainer Freddie Roach reckons he isn’t the strongest fighter he ever coached.
Tyson was the undisputed heavyweight champion between 1987 and 1990, and in 1986 became the youngest ever boxer to win a heavyweight title.
Now 58, he is set to return to the ring to face YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on November 15.
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Recently released training footage of Tyson ahead of the fight went viral, showing him using a powerful left hook that left fans concerned for Paul’s safety.
But Roach, who trained Tyson in the early 2000s, believes three time heavyweight champion Michael Moorer was the stronger of the two.
Asked who was the strongest fighter, he told the Ringer: “Michael Moorer [was the strongest]. He was a bull and very talented. A southpaw with incredible power in his left hand. One left could end the evening for anyone when it connected.”
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However, Roach named Tyson as the top puncher.
The pair worked together towards the end of Tyson’s illustrious career – and Roach admits that the boxer had lost his passion for the sport by that point.
Added Roach: “Mike’s a great guy and I did train him for a couple of fights before the end of his career, but his heart wasn’t really in it at that time. If he didn’t knock you out in a couple of rounds he’d get a torn meniscus in his knee or an injury somewhere here or there.”
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The high-profile event between Tyson and Paul is set to take place in front of up to 80,000 people at the home of the Dallas Cowboys.
It will be contested over eight two-minute rounds instead of the usual three-minute rounds, and both boxers will wear 14-ounce gloves, heavier than the standard gloves.
Tickets are still available, with reports that promoters are slashing prices of some tickets. However ringside seats were reportedly being listed for $50,000 apiece and a $2million VIP package is available that includes a pre-fight locker room visit with Tyson and Paul.
The fight will be streamed exclusively on Netflix.
Topics: Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, Boxing