EXCLUSIVE
Spencer Oliver is worried for Mike Tyson with fresh training footage emerging as he prepares to fight Jake Paul.
Tyson announced another comeback fight, this time against YouTube star Paul and the two will meet in the ring in July at the AT&T Stadium in Texas.
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The heavyweight icon is considered one of the greatest fighters of all time, but is far from his prime having retired from boxing in 2005 and leaving with a 50-6 record, including 44 knockouts.
There is a 31-year age gap between him and Paul, who is currently on his own surprising pursuit to become world champion having gone from YouTuber to Disney Channel actor and now boxing.
Fans have already become concerned after a video emerged of the former champion using a walking stick after struggling with sciatica.
On the talkSPORT boxing watchalong for Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou, former European super bantamweight champion Oliver revealed his own reservations for Tyson in the fight.
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"I'm scared about it to be honest," he said. "You look at the bad health he has been in recently, we've seen him on crutches and I think the kid from the Disney Channel is going to knock out Mike Tyson."
Oliver is a man who has seen Tyson's scary power up close when he spent time in his fight camp ahead of his bout with Lou Savarese in Glasgow.
"I just can't get my head around it to be honest. I think it is a sad day for the sport. What damage would that do to Mike Tyson's legacy?
"We fast-forward twenty-odd years and he's getting in the ring, and I think it is a sad spectacle because he probably gets knocked out.
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"Have you seen the condition he is in? He is 57 years old and is not in great health come on man."
And Tyson was pictured at a photoshoot crunching a heavy bag with his thunderous power after announcing his next career venture.
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Worrying footage of Mike Tyson using a walking stick reemerges ahead of his fight with Jake Paul fight
Understandably, the new footage has caused uproar, with the public uncertain if the fight should even take place.
One fan wrote: "I hate to say this but it looks like he is in trouble."
Another fan agreed: "Hate to say this but Mike is about to lose, maybe even get knocked out."
A fan even claimed: "I noticed that there was no power punch, so how's he going to keep Jake away from him with those weak jabs? Mike's going to sleep."
One also pointed out the significant age gap: "I’m not worried about the offence, is there a single 57-year-old man on the planet that can take a punch from a young boxer in their physical prime?"
While another fan even suggested: "Not going to lie, as much as I love Tyson, he is tarnishing his legacy with this, win or not."
However, one Twitter user was more optimistic: "Let’s say this is a sanctioned bout.
"Tyson can be highly effective for short spurts. Peek-a-boo style for the first few minutes and he’s sleeping Paul in my opinion."
Tyson last fought in 2020 in an exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr, which also received widespread criticism given the pair's age.
In his prime, Tyson made history for becoming the youngest ever heavyweight champion at 20 years old in 1986 when he beat Trevor Berbick, a record which has yet to be shattered.
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He also reigned as undisputed champion, and competed against some of the division's most iconic names, including Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield.
He elected to hang up his gloves after being stopped by Kevin McBride, but he is now back although his exact condition is yet to be clarified.
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