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Jeff Fenech’s huge call on Mike Tyson’s comeback Jake Paul fight

Jeff Fenech, who has been friends with Mike Tyson for years, has made a bold call about the 58-year-old’s comeback fight.

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Jeff Fenech knows fellow boxing great Mike Tyson better than most.

The duo have been friends for more than three decades and the Aussie legend is confident he knows what’s going to happen when Iron Mike makes his comeback to the ring next week.

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The 58-year-old Tyson is hoping to shock the world when he takes on 27-year-old Jake Paul in Dallas and the Marrickville Mauler believes that’s exactly what he’s going to do.

“I spoke to Mike two days ago,” Fenech told The Daily Telegraph. “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.”

Mike Tyson and Jeff Fenech, seen here in 2000, have been friends for years.
Mike Tyson and Jeff Fenech, seen here in 2000, have been friends for years.

While it’s been 20 years since Tyson’s official professional career came to a close, Fenech believes Tyson still has what it takes.

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

“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 first became friends in the late 1980s, with the Aussie going on to contest one of his most famous fights on an undercard for the great American.

Fenech’s famous fight with Azumah Nelson. Photo: Ken Levine /Allsport
Fenech’s famous fight with Azumah Nelson. Photo: Ken Levine /Allsport
Fenech previously worked with Tyson. (Photo by Denise Truscello/WireImage)
Fenech previously worked with Tyson. (Photo by Denise Truscello/WireImage)

Fenech’s controversial draw against Azumah Nelson in 1991 was on the card of Tyson’s heavyweight showdown with Razor Ruddock in Las Vegas.

Tyson has rebuilt his life after an incredibly arduous journey, capped by his rape conviction and three-year incarceration beginning in 1992.

Fenech said he helped Tyson during a period where the Aussie called him “uncontrollable”.

But the youngest world champion in heavyweight history at just 20 has shown he’s in superb shape for the clash with Paul and Fenech has high hopes.

“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.”

Tyson reached out during Fenech’s recent health scare.
Tyson reached out during Fenech’s recent health scare.
Tyson is in great shape. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP)
Tyson is in great shape. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP)

Fenech had a major health scare earlier this year, rushed to hospital and undergoing emergency heart surgery back in March.

A four division world champion, Fenech said Tyson reached out during his hospital stay.

The Aussie originally planned to be ringside for Tyson’s comeback, which was scheduled for July 20, before an ulcer flare up forced it to be postponed.

A schedule clash means Fenech now can’t be in Dallas for the fight, but he has no doubt Tyson knows he has his full support.

“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’s huge call on Mike Tyson’s comeback Jake Paul fight

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/boxing-mma/jeff-fenechs-huge-call-on-mike-tysons-comeback-jake-paul-fight/news-story/06a90b144328d9ec90e7b96258bdbaf5