Roy Jones Jr, the last man to face Mike Tyson in a boxing ring, believes the heavyweight icon will beat Jake Paul in their fight later this month.
It will be fascinating to see how the 58-year-old fares as he prepares to return to the sport after a four-year absence - having last faced Jones Jr back in 2020.
Paul is the favourite given his young age.
But Jones Jr, speaking to talkSPORT, insists Tyson will win the bout via split decision - and will resist the urge to deliver an early knockout blow due to all the work he's put in.
"Well, I like Mike, probably by decision," said the 55-year-old.
"But if he chooses to go out and take him out, I think he can.
"However, I feel like if he feels comfortable he will just box and enjoy himself because why get in shape to go one round...
"I don't fear for Mike and how old he is. Mike is still hard to hit and Mike still hits hard as hell."
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Jones Jr also believes two minute rounds, rather than the usual three, will work to Tyson's advantage.
He added: "That's the real question, how much can Jake survive?
"That's the real question because Mike has what it takes to get anyone out of there.
"And I'm going to tell you this, when I boxed him four years ago it was only two-minute rounds but surprisingly he didn't decline, he stayed the same the whole fight.
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"And that surprised me. If they are doing two-minute rounds then Mike is not going to tire out, I already know that because I watched him do that."
Tyson and Jones Jr put on a show four years ago.
That clash ended in a draw, with many left underwhelmed by the former's performance on the night.
Tyson has, however, been taking his upcoming duel with Paul extremely seriously.
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The boxing icon has regularly updated fans with videos of himself working hard in the gym.
And Tyson, speaking recently to Esquite, has insisted he's coming out of retirement because he's a 'glory junkie' and wants to prove a point.
"I'm a glory junkie," he said.
"I love people thinking about me all day.
“I’d rather live a short life of glory than a long life of obscurity. It’s just who I am.
“This is all I started fighting for - to get all this f*****g status. I’m going to be chasing it for the rest of my life. I know that. I’m never going to get what I want, because I’m one of those gluttons for pain. I can never get enough.”
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It will be fascinating to see how the 58-year-old fares as he prepares to return to the sport after a four-year absence - having last faced Jones Jr back in 2020.
Paul is the favourite given his young age.
But Jones Jr, speaking to talkSPORT, insists Tyson will win the bout via split decision - and will resist the urge to deliver an early knockout blow due to all the work he's put in.
"Well, I like Mike, probably by decision," said the 55-year-old.
"But if he chooses to go out and take him out, I think he can.
"However, I feel like if he feels comfortable he will just box and enjoy himself because why get in shape to go one round...
"I don't fear for Mike and how old he is. Mike is still hard to hit and Mike still hits hard as hell."
JUST IN: Mike Tyson makes surgery admission ahead of controversial Jake Paul boxing fight - 'Ruined my life'
Jones Jr also believes two minute rounds, rather than the usual three, will work to Tyson's advantage.
He added: "That's the real question, how much can Jake survive?
"That's the real question because Mike has what it takes to get anyone out of there.
"And I'm going to tell you this, when I boxed him four years ago it was only two-minute rounds but surprisingly he didn't decline, he stayed the same the whole fight.
READ MORE: Graeme Souness delivers update after former Liverpool star suffered 'worst injury'
"And that surprised me. If they are doing two-minute rounds then Mike is not going to tire out, I already know that because I watched him do that."
Tyson and Jones Jr put on a show four years ago.
That clash ended in a draw, with many left underwhelmed by the former's performance on the night.
Tyson has, however, been taking his upcoming duel with Paul extremely seriously.
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The boxing icon has regularly updated fans with videos of himself working hard in the gym.
And Tyson, speaking recently to Esquite, has insisted he's coming out of retirement because he's a 'glory junkie' and wants to prove a point.
"I'm a glory junkie," he said.
"I love people thinking about me all day.
“I’d rather live a short life of glory than a long life of obscurity. It’s just who I am.
“This is all I started fighting for - to get all this f*****g status. I’m going to be chasing it for the rest of my life. I know that. I’m never going to get what I want, because I’m one of those gluttons for pain. I can never get enough.”
Find Out More...