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High on Can**bis, Mike Tyson’s Power and Speed Had Roy Jones Jr. Concerned for His Safety During Their 2020 Fight

Published 03/28/2024, 3:32 PM EDT

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Mike Tyson was a force of nature in the boxing ring. His reign of terror began early, with a staggering 27 knockouts in his first 28 fights. Opponents wilted under his ferocious punching power. Tyson’s path to the top wasn’t completely smooth sailing. He faced a stiff challenge from Jose Ribalta in his 26th fight, needing a late knockout to secure victory. But by fight number 28, Tyson conquered Trevor Berbick to claim the heavyweight championship of the world at the tender age of 20.

Even as champion, Tyson’s dominance continued. However, his first title defense saw James Smith go the full distance, the only fighter in his first 29 bouts to last all 12 rounds. In all of his fights, one thing is common: his fierce power and extraordinary swiftness. Interestingly, Tyson was in his prime during these battles, but he still retained his skills at the age of 54, during his fight against Roy Jones Jr.

Mike Tyson’s devastating knockout power startled Roy Jones Jr.

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In the ‘All the SMOke’ show on Showtime Sports, boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. opened up about the surprising power and speed he encountered during his 2020 exhibition fight with Mike Tyson. “Let me tell you, I was worried,” Jones admitted to the host. His concern stemmed from Tyson’s weight advantage and unpredictable behavior. News that Tyson smoked marijuana before the fight only heightened Jones’ apprehension. He stated, “You don’t know what he might come in here and do. Then He said, ‘Yo I smoked weed before I come out.’ Oh no.

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He highlighted the element of danger that loomed over the exhibition. He urged his team to prioritize safety, fearing an escalation of aggression. Jones then delved into the fight itself. “The first time he hit me in the chest, felt like a horse kicked me,” he described, emphasizing Tyson’s raw power despite his advanced age.

Tyson’s speed also surprised Jones. “He’s still slipping all my stuff,” Jones said in disbelief. He acknowledged the need for constant vigilance, fearing a misstep could lead to a serious injury. “This dude’s still fast,” Jones Jr. reiterated, a hint of awe in his voice. Now, Tyson will again display his power after four years against the Youtuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. And Tyson’s coach is quite sure that Paul will also have the same kind of realization after the first punch from Tyson.

Tyson’s coach talks about their surprise planned for Jake Paul

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At 58, the ‘Iron’ Mike of old will face YouTube star Jake Paul on July 20th in a Texas showdown. The 31-year age gap has critics worried about Tyson’s health, especially with rumors of a professional fight under traditional rules. Concerns escalated after a doctor warned of potential brain damage for Tyson. However, his trainer, Rafael Cordeiro, has emerged as a shield, insisting Tyson is in peak condition.

Cordeiro mentioned, “The guy didn’t have 20 fights in two years, he knows how to fight. He’s fought against the best guys in the world. When he steps inside the ring, he knows what to do. It’s not something new for Mike, and this fight is no different. He works hard every single day to go in there and try to knock Jake out from the beginning to the end. He’s going to prove that in July.” So, Tyson’s trainer isn’t too much concerned about the upcoming showdown.

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The fans will finally get to see ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ in action yet again, as he prepares to face young and energetic Jake Paul. What do you think about this upcoming clash? Tell us in the comments section.

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Written by:

Chirag Radhyan

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Chirag Radhyan is a senior boxing writer at EssentiallySports. Having authored close to 2K articles, he is a live-coverage specialist, contributing to the detailed reportage of live boxing events ranging from the Jermell Charlo vs Canelo Alvarez bout to Ryan Garcia vs Gervonta Davis. Moreover, his coverage of the off-court drama between Jake Paul and Tommy Fury received widespread appreciation from readers.
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Edited by:

Garima Yadav