MIKE Tyson’s display in Texas last Friday left many fearing for the heavyweight legend’s wellbeing. Once a destructive boxing force, Tyson was seen ambling around the ring en route to an eight-round defeat by Jake Paul, a YouTuber turned fighter, over 30 years younger.
While the outcome might’ve been obvious to many, given Tyson’s age and deterioration, some well-qualified observers felt Mike had one last big shot left in him. Former world champion Jeff Fench was one such voice. The Australian was left feeling a little red-faced after Tyson was beaten.
“I had so many people ring me and so many people lost money because of me – I’m pretty embarrassed,” Fenech told Nine Sports Australia.
“It may have been a terrible fight – but what he represented and what he was trying to do isn’t just to show people he can fight, he’s trying to show people that at 58 you can work hard. He’s changed his whole life around and I think that’s what it’s about.”
Fenech is a long-time friend of Tyson and once trained the Brooklyn banger. He has also cautioned Tyson to think again when considering a return to the ring. Especially given the fact that the first proposed fight with Paul was postponed when he suffered a medical incident on an aircraft.
Fenech added: “I’m so proud of how Mike has changed his life around and over 100 million people watched at home. Although all us fight people can say what a terrible fight that was, most people think what a great job Mike Tyson did.”
