Mike Tyson's friend performs U-turn on boxing icon ahead of Jake Paul fight
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Mike Tyson's friend and former trainer, Dewey Cooper, has seemingly performed a U-turn as the boxing icon prepares for his blockbuster bout with Jake Paul.
Iron Mike is currently preparing for his first professional fight since his defeat to Kevin McBride in Las Vegas in 2005.
Tyson will be the underdog against Paul, who is 31 years his junior at the age of 27.
When the fight was first announced back in March, Cooper said people would be 'excited' about the showdown.
Mike Tyson's friend and former trainer, Dewey Cooper, has seemingly performed a U-turn as the boxing icon prepares for his blockbuster bout with Jake Paul
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He was then critical of the fight in June, saying of Tyson: "That's a high number in age to be fighting young guys."
Yet he's now insisted he's got no concerns about the veteran, with Cooper confident Tyson can roll back the years and put on a show to remember.
"Mike is prepared," he told World Boxing News.
"He had already prepared for the first fight and they got pushed. He's ready to go."
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Cooper also believes he's in no position to tell Tyson not to box, despite the criticism the clash has received.
Given his age, there are legitimate concerns over whether he's in any condition to face 27-year-old Paul.
But Cooper isn't worried, with the Team Combat League president adding: “The world is clamouring for the fight. So who am I to say I’m uncomfortable with it?
"Mike has extensive knowledge as a boxer, as a fighter, as a conqueror.
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"So, you know, we'll see what this fight's about again. I definitely wish him the best."
Paul is a Marmite figure within the world of boxing.
He has won 10 of his 11 bouts over the years, ever since first entering the ring back in 2020.
And though Cooper thinks Tyson will reign supreme, he's urged his friend to not underestimate Paul - despite everything he's achieved himself.
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Mike Tyson's close friend, Dewey Cooper, thinks the boxing icon is capable of beating Jake Paul later this month
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“Jake Paul’s no joke, either. Mike better be serious because Jake’s been putting in real time [in training], consistently over four years straight — working," he said.
Meanwhile, British boxing icon Lennox Lewis has also opened up on the fight.
Like Cooper, he thinks Tyson will be too strong for Paul - despite acknowledging the heavyweight legend has a 'hard task' on his hands.
Mike Tyson will be fighting professionally for the first time since 2005 when he goes up against Jake Paul
GETTY"It's hard to box when you're that old, moving around the ring, throwing punches, getting punches thrown at you, but I think he can handle it," he said.
"I was thinking that Jake Paul was going to be in trouble, because Mike Tyson knows how to throw great body punches, great head shots.
"We just have to see if he's going to do them in the ring - I'm hoping that he'll do that."
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