Boxing fans everywhere are dreaming of the ultimate showdown moment: ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson towering over Jake Paul, a grin on his face, basking in the glory of a classic knockout while fans cheer for the champ’s return to form. But can that really happen when the duo enters the ring next weekend at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas? 

The man who famously tamed ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ in June 2002, former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, has shared his take on how the fight will unfold. While appearing in an interview with Sky Sports not that long ago, ‘The Lion’ Lewis dissected the upcoming bout, sharing a glimpse into the actual fight. 

“I was thinking that Jake Paul was going to be in trouble because Mike Tyson knows how to throw great body punches, great headshots,” Lewis told Sky Sports. However, his view seems to have changed over time. Concerns have been raised about Tyson’s ability to compete at 58, but the former youngest heavyweight champion is confident he’s still at the top of his game.

Regardless, Lewis is hoping Tyson will be able to showcase his best skills when he enters the ring, stating, “We just have to see if he’s going to do them in the ring – I’m hoping that he’ll do that.” As for Mike Tyson’s age, Lewis acknowledged, “It’s hard to box when you’re that old, moving around the ring, throwing punches, getting punches thrown at you.”

Get the EssentiallySports Daily Newsletter. Stay ahead of the game with daily updates, exclusive stories, expert takes, and the biggest moments from the world's most popular sports.

Despite these concerns, Lewis remains optimistic about the fight, stating, “I think he can handle it.” Further elaborating on his point, the English heavyweight added, “[I expect to see] Mike Tyson just kind of cutting off the ring and throwing body and head blows, when he can catch up to Jake Paul.” 

Lewis even speculated what Jake Paul’s strategy would be to avoid Tyson’s power, noting, “I’m sure Jake Paul will be moving fast, moving around the ring. He’s not going to want to stand there and get hit by Mike Tyson!” Meanwhile, Lewis may be quietly rooting for a Tyson victory—perhaps for reasons beyond just the fight itself.

Lennox Lewis may return to the ring against Mike Tyson after the Jake Paul fight

Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson is a boxing purist’s ultimate dream, and the great news is—the fight may happen given Tyson lives up to Lewis’ condition. The two boxing legends fought back in 2002, with Lewis securing an eighth-round knockout victory to retain his heavyweight title. Their infamous rivalry included a dramatic press conference. What happened? 

Well, the pair and their team got into a massive brawl, making their eventual showdown one of the most memorable in boxing history. While appearing in a recent interview with TMZ Sports, he said, “Let’s see how he makes out in this fight, and then I’ll tell you after.” Regardless, even then, Lewis felt Tyson would get the upper hand in the upcoming fight against Paul. 

That said, Lennox Lewis seems to be siding with Mike Tyson for the fight against Jake Paul next weekend. But it’s far from a done deal—Tyson is still 58, and Paul has a knack for dropping older opponents. What did you think about Lewis’ statement? Do you agree?