MIKE TYSON showed off his remarkable body transformation as the 53-year-old heavyweight legend prepares for a boxing comeback.
Tyson recently released a now viral clip of him hitting the pads proving he has not lost his trademark speed and power.
Mike Tyson next to his new trainer, MMA coach Rafael Cordeiro
Tyson retired in 2005 with a record of 50–6 and battling drug addiction and depression
And a picture uploaded online of Tyson, now weighing around 240lb, next to his new trainer, MMA coach Rafael Cordeiro, revealed the American in fighting shape having used time in lockdown to begin training again.
It comes after the iconic puncher announced he will make a ring return – 15 years after retiring – to compete in exhibition bouts.
And padman Cordeiro insisted Tyson, who became become the youngest heavyweight champion of all time, aged 20 by beating Trevor Berbick in 1986, is still carrying the same power he had during his prime.
He told ESPN: “He hasn’t hit mitts for almost 10 years. So I didn’t expect to see what I saw.
“I saw a guy with the same speed, same power as guys 21, 22 years old.
“Like I said before, 53-years-old but when he puts his mind to it, his body inside the ring – he changes.”
Tyson has been training with Cordeiro for three weeks in a row, working on his cardio, pads, and bag work.
The trainer believes the heavyweight needs just six months before he can fight again, as he added: “It’s not a joke.
“I believe Mike fought against himself for a long, long time. He’s proud to be the Mike Tyson he is today.
“What I can tell you is that if he wants to do something in the future, we’ll be ready to do that, 100 per cent.”
After Tyson won the title in record breaking time, his destructive run came to an end in 1990 as James ‘Buster’ Douglas scored a famous upset, knocking out Iron Mike in Tokyo, Japan.
Tyson went on to spend three years in prison after being convicted of rape in 1992, before returning to the ring in 1995.
He won the WBC and WBA titles in 1996 but in the same year lost to Evander Holyfield and infamously bit his ear off in their rematch a year later.
The knockout artist, who also lost to Lennox Lewis, retired in 2005 after losing to Kevin McBride and left the sport with a record of 50–6 and battling drug addiction and depression.
But having turned his life around in recent years, the retired boxer started his charity Mike Tyson Cares Foundation and runs his popular Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson podcast after opening up a cannabis farm.
He remains one of the most celebrated heavyweights of all time – but recently announced plans to lace up the gloves again in order to raise money for charity.
He said on Instagram: “I’ve been working out, I’ve been trying to get in the ring, I think I’m going to box some exhibitions and get in shape.
“I want to go to the gym and get in shape to be able to box three or four-round exhibitions for some charities and stuff.”
Tyson is still the youngest heavyweight champion of all timeCredit: AFP – Getty
The reformed Baddest Man on the Planet has been using lockdown time to get in shapeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
