‘Tyson was a hero of mine but I’m Team Roy Jones now’
Boxing’s interim WBA world middleweight champion on his relationship with his trainer Roy Jones Jr, who fights Mike Tyson in an exhibition match on Saturday
You’re likely to be in the great Roy Jones’ corner in LA. How does that feel?
I never in a million years thought I would be with Roy Jones, helping him prepare to face Mike Tyson. I don’t know how we got here but we’re here! It’s happening. We’re in LA for fight week and I’ve never been part of anything like this. This is exciting. And I really think Roy’s going to be beat him.
What makes you say that?
I don’t see how a man [like Tyson] who has been inactive for 15 years, plus the drinking, the drugs, the stuff he’s been doing, huge weight gain. He might be able to get into shape and look good for a 20-second Instagram clip but eight rounds is eight rounds. If he can’t catch Roy with a big punch in the first round or two, Roy will dominate.
Jones, 51, is better suited to a return than Tyson, 54, then?
Roy does live the life – he doesn’t drink or do drugs, he’s been in the gym his entire life. He fought as recently as two years ago. His body and mind have been in the gym all the time. Mike’s hasn’t. Hopefully he can pull it off. I never thought I’d want to see Mike Tyson lose a fight, as a hero of mine, but I don’t want Roy to lose. I’m Team Roy Jones now.
Were you a fan of the former four-weight world champion before working with him?
Of course. Anybody who watched him watched in amazement. I would see his fights and take things from his fighting style and try to use them myself. I was a huge fan and still am. He’s a genius at what he does. He says having me here has been good for him as well.
No knockouts allowed, eight two-minutes rounds. Is this an exhibition or a real fight?
These are two of the best fighters ever, I do not think they will treat it like an exhibition. Roy may try and play chess with him and avoid those big shots early on and come on strong after the Tyson onslaught.
When will you be back in action yourself after nearly a year out of the ring?
December or, worst-case scenario, January. I’m just waiting for the call. Yes, I lost out on fights this year but I found Roy.