Mike Tyson snapped a pad in half in his training preparations ahead of his fight with Jake Paul to leave coach Rafael Cordeiro shocked.
The legendary heavyweight will make a stunning return to the ring next Friday at the age of 58 against YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul, in a fully sanctioned professional fight.
Tyson cracked the pads held by his trainer Cordeiro[/caption]
Throughout his professional career from 1985 to 2005, ‘Iron Mike’ generated a reputation as being one of the most ferocious fighters and most powerful punchers to have ever graced the squared circle.
Tyson carried a KO ratio of 88 per cent, and left formidable opposition laid out on their back during his prime including Buster Douglas and Larry Holmes.
Despite now being a veteran and far from his heyday, Tyson has been showing that he still possesses his frightening heavy hands when releasing footage from his training camp during the fight build-up.
And one person who has felt his punching prowess more than most is his trainer Cordeiro.
In new behind-the-scenes footage from his camp, Tyson can be seen going through the motions with some punching challenges including on the heavy bag.
He also spars with a partner during the video, and previous footage has shown him taking on regular pad work with Cordeiro.
And at the conclusion of the footage posted by Most Valuable Promotions, Cordeiro can be seen holding what remains of a pad he held for Tyson.
The pad is in half in his hands, and he looks up to the camera and is visibly in awe of what unfolded in the ring.
He said to the camera: “Broke. Broke. Can you imagine Jake’s face?
“If you make this, this is really good equipment. Couldn’t handle the punch, Mike’s punch.
Cordeiro showed off the pad split in half, a sign that Tyson’s power remains[/caption]
“Can you imagine that kid? Whoo!”
The pad was broken, and it was just the latest show that Tyson still carries a threatening iron fist, albeit far from his peak physical condition.
It is clearly damaging to other fighters too in a warning to Paul, with the footage also including the moment he sent a sparring partner through the ropes.
There has been widespread criticism of the fight given Paul is 31 years younger than the icon, and is in his physical prime.
But it is clear that he remains fearful of the American’s crunching shots, which he will need to navigate to survive the early stages of their eight-round contest.
And Roy Jones Jr, who was Tyson’s last opponent in 2020 during an exhibition clash, has warned Paul that his power is well and truly retained.
“Mike Tyson is still the strongest puncher that I’ve ever been in the ring with,” he said.
“The first time he hit me in the chest, it felt like a mule had kicked me in the chest.
“And if he hits anybody with a shot like that, they are either going out or down, especially guys who are not used to being hit like that.”
