Mike Tyson’s former trainer reveals anger with boxing star ahead of Jake Paul fight
Mike Tyson’s former trainer, Jeff Fenech, has revealed he was furious with the boxing star when he got a face tattoo ahead of the veteran’s upcoming fight with Jake Paul.
Back in 2002, after losing to Lennox Lewis, Tyson knocked out Clifford Etienne inside just a minute.
However, just three days before the showdown the boxing icon decided to get a Maori-style symbol tattooed on his face.
Fenech has revealed Tyson initially didn’t want to fight Etienne as a result. Speaking to The Mirror, he said: “This guy’s just got this crazy tattoo on his face.
“I was like, ‘How’s he going to fight with this fresh tattoo on his face?’ And he told me he didn’t want to fight so I jumped on a plane and went home.”
The fight did end up going ahead, however, much to Fenech’s surprise.
The trainer wasn’t in attendance for the bout, with Freddie Roach replacing him in Tyson’s corner.
Fenech continued: “Three days later, he weighs in and fights.
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“Apparently [there was] pressure from [broadcasters] Showtime and the promoters.
“He jumped in the ring, which was a huge risk, but God was on his side and he knocked Clifford Etienne out inside a round. That was great.”
Fenech has no regrets about leaving Tyson’s camp, however.
Unhappy with the boxing star’s decision to get inked just three days before a fight, the 60-year-old felt the heavyweight star had made a foolish decision.
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“I trained him for the whole fight but missed out on enjoying the win with him,” he continued.
“I don’t regret that at all because when he got that tattoo on his face, that was a sign to me.
“You don’t get a tattoo on your face three days before a fight.
“He was training so well and then all of a sudden he felt he needed to have a couple of days off, which I thought was a great idea. Then I never saw him for seven or eight days!
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“It wasn’t the perfect preparation but he still fought.
“And the reason I stayed was because, if something happened, I was going to look after Mike. I stopped the fight.
“There were people in the corner telling me not to stop it but I told them I was the boss and that I wasn’t letting him take anymore punishment. That was a priority of mine.”
Tyson is currently preparing for his bout with Paul, which will take place in Texas on November 15.
The 58-year-old is the underdog given his age, with Paul 31 years his junior at the age of 27.
It will be Tyson’s first professional fight since 2005 when he infamously lost to Kevin McBride in Las Vegas.