FREDDIE ROACH has revealed Mike Tyson’s “heart wasn’t really in it” during his final years as a boxer.
The former Baddest Man on the Planet is now preparing for his return to the ring – 15 years after his retirement.
Freddie Roach described working with Mike Tyson as ‘a lot of fun’Credit: Rex Features
Roach worked with Tyson’s camp for his first round knockout win over Clifford Etienne and his infamous loss to Danny Williams.
He claimed working with the hard-hitting heavyweight was “a lot of fun” – except from when he was chinned by him.
He told DAZN: “Mike’s a great guy and I did train him for a couple of fights before the end of his career but his heart wasn’t really in at that time.
“If he didn’t knock you out in a couple of rounds he’d get a torn meniscus in his knee or an injury somewhere here or there.
“But the thing is Mike is a great puncher, he trains very good.
“Being with Mike for two fights it was a lot of fun, I enjoyed it.
“Catching him on the mitts was very difficult and a lot of fun.
“Getting whacked by Mike Tyson with the right hook isn’t my favourite spot but I lived through it.”
Roach revealed how it felt to take a punch from Tyson – who managed 44 knockouts during his career.
He added: “He was very explosive. He hit me in the chin one day, I didn’t go down but I was definitely knocked out on my feet.
“He hit me so hard! His speed was the big factor. He has it on tape somewhere but he won’t give it to me.”
He claimed Tyson would have become one of the best boxers in history if he did not go to jail for rape from 1992 until 1995.
Mike Tyson was one of the most feared fighters on the planetCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Roach added: “If he didn’t go to jail he might have been one of the greatest of all time, I do think that, yes.
“I was in jail once for one day and I didn’t enjoy that one day, so spending three years in jail I think that might take a lot out of anybody in the world.”
Tyson is now in talks with Evander Holyfield over a November rematch in the Middle East – 23 years after they first fought.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
