Former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is weeks away from his big fight against YouTube boxing sensation Jake Paul. With each passing day, the tension is building and boxing purists are sweating from their palms, thinking about how the 58-year-old would perform. This includes legendary Muhammad Ali’s business manager, Gene Kilroy. 

The 84-year-old stuck with Ali throughout the latter’s career, guiding him through the intricacies of finances and life in general. He also knew ‘Kid Dynamite,’ a then—up—and—coming heavyweight who would become a legend on his own. Decades later, as Tyson prepares to tackle a challenge unlike any other, Kilroy pays Tyson a visit, as the 58-year-old is training. 

Mike has been sharing videos on YouTube as part of his ‘Behind The Mike’ series, in which this special encounter is revealed to the public. Tyson himself recently shared a clip from the video on X, captioning the post, “Gene Kilroy has known me since I was 13.” Meanwhile, in the clip, Tyson can be seen training rigorously for the impending fight.

Impressed by Mike Tyson’s training, “This is the strongest I’ve ever seen you,” Kilroy said. “I [have] known you since you were 13. I think this is so… This impresses [the] s**t out of me. Nothing impresses me… I’m [going to] tell you the truth. I [won’t] lie. I was worried about him traveling here, traveling there. He’s not getting… I can sleep now at night. This is great.”

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It’s worth mentioning that many in the community are worried about Tyson’s health and ability to fight at 58. The fact that he suffered from a medical emergency earlier this year, didn’t help either. However, Tyson has reassured people about his condition while regularly sharing training clips. While not everyone is convinced, Kilroy for one is. 

“You did more workouts than the whole time you fought Lennox Lewis. Am I right or wrong?” he said watching Tyson putting in the work. “I’m proud of you Mike. I’m proud of you. The new generation.” Meanwhile, Mike Tyson has claimed that his training is not much different from when he ruled the ring more than two decades ago.

Mike Tyson rubbishes 31-year-age gap with Jake Paul 

With less than a month’s time left in the November 15th fight at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Mike Tyson dismissed the 31-year age gap between him and his 27-year-old opponent. “Other people my age haven’t been training as long as me… I’m just a different species of human being,” Tyson told Mike Doocy of FOX 4.

Even though Tyson suffered an ulcer flare-up, which delayed the fight, Tyson says he is “fit, ready to fight,” and even training like he did in his prime, needing only “more massages than normal.” He also seems to have taken a dig at Jake Paul’s fighting style, challenging the YouTube star to go toe-to-toe rather than “running like a thief.”

Tyson warned Paul “My intention is to hurt this young man,” adding Paul may “fight, but he’s not on my level.”

That being said, Mike Tyson seems primed and ready for his upcoming bout against Jake Paul. However, only time will tell whether these were empty words, or there really was some weight behind it. How do you think Tyson will do next month?