Jeff Fenech predicts long time friend Mike Tyson to take out heavyweight title

Jeff Fenech counts Mike Tyson as one of his best mates, and has made his official prediction for ‘Iron Mike’s’ fight with Jake Paul.

Jeff Fenech has backed 58-year-old Mike Tyson to complete “the greatest comeback ever” by knocking out Jake Paul in their heavyweight showdown on November 15 (November 16 in Australia).

Fenech formed a friendship with Tyson in the 1980s, and even took his family to holiday with ‘Kid Dynamite’ in Las Vegas.

He was also there for some of the most turbulent times of Tyson’s life and career, including his last ever professional bout in 2005. Fenech threw in the towel that night, handing Kevin McBride a sixth round stoppage win, and Tyson will break a nearly two-decade professional retirement in Dallas, Texas next weekend.

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul’s heavyweight showdown is set for November 16. Picture: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Fenech revealed he spoke with his old mate earlier this week, and gave him some advice on how to handle a man 31 years his junior.

“I spoke to Mike two days ago,” Fenech said. “I just told him what I think he should do – don’t punch with him, don’t punch at the same time as Jake Paul.

“Just make him miss and make him pay.

“It could be over in 40 seconds if he lands one punch.

“You don’t lose that power, and his greatest attribute was being able to make someone miss, then make them pay.

“He’s 58, but he looks amazing and he sounds good – he’s confident. It made me really happy.

“I think he’ll win pretty easily, I think he’ll knock Jake Paul out.”

Fenech and Tyson grew close in the early ‘90s. Picture: Supplied

Fenech worked Tyson’s corner late in his career. Picture: John Iacono/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

Speaking from his home in Five Dock in Sydney, Fenech said a win would cap off one of the greatest comeback stories in sports history.

“The Mike Tyson story and how he’s turned his life around from what he was, to what he is now, I don’t know if there’s ever been a bigger turn around for a person who’s gone through what he went through,” he said.

“It might be the greatest story ever.”

After meeting in the late ‘80s, Fenech and Tyson remained close, and the Aussie’s controversial draw with Azumah Nelson was on an Iron Mike undercard in Las Vegas in 1991.

Fenech had a close up view of the incredible turmoil that was Tyson’s life in the early 1990s, including his fall from grace and eventual conviction for rape in 1992.

“I was with him when he was doing his AA classes – I sat there with him. This was during the time that he was uncontrollable,” he said.

“It was while he was still active, still fighting, but as soon as I heard he was having problems, I jumped on a plane to LA and stayed with him.

“We were together most days and I’d go to classes with him to talk.

“He was a superstar, but he was also rock bottom as well.”

Fenech holds pads for Tyson. Picture: Supplied

Fenech says one person is responsible for Tyson’s comeback.

“A lot of it is down to his wife, Kiki,” he said. “She’s an amazing person and she’s made sure he changed his life.

“Certain things you can’t do on your own, it’s too hard. But when you’ve got family, a wife, it’s different. He’s blessed.”

Fenech’s loyalty was reciprocated earlier this year when Tyson FaceTimed him as the Aussie boxing icon was laid up in a hospital bed after undergoing emergency heart surgery earlier this year.

Fenech was initially planning to be in Tyson’s corner for his first fight in 19 years.

But when Tyson fell ill earlier in the year and the bout was postponed, other commitments meant he won’t be able to travel to Dallas next weekend.

“He knows I’ll be there for him,” he said. “I don’t think people realise where he was and how much he’s been through.

“To turn his life around like he has, it’s amazing. He’s a special one.”

Originally published as Jeff Fenech predicts long time friend Mike Tyson to take out heavyweight title