A padded body protector is no match for Mike Tyson’s fists.
Newly released video shows his trainer, Rafael Cordeiro, woozily spitting out fluid after absorbing two punches from Tyson, the former heavyweight champion, during a training session.
“Mike only knows one speed, and that’s 100 percent, full-speed ahead,’’ said Billy White, who helps train Tyson and was pictured in the video. “He’ll be there full speed on July 20.’’
Tyson, 57, is scheduled to fight Jake Paul, 27, on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.
Cordeiro, who trained Tyson for his exhibition fight against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020, is seen wincing during mitt work captured on video during training sessions last month in Arizona.
“Mike obviously has always been known as the baddest man on the planet,’’ White told USA TODAY Sports. “Rafael is the baddest trainer on the planet. He can handle what few others can.’’
Cordeiro did not immediately respond to requests seeking comment.
Getting rid of the rust
What the videos don’t capture: Tyson’s transformation in 2020.
Tyson has said he was 100 pounds overweight when he started training for his exhibition fight against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020. He weighed in at 222 pounds for the fight, an eight-round bout that ended in a draw as scored by three celebrity judges.
By contrast, Tyson weighed 226 pounds when he began training last month to fight Paul, according to White.
“So weight is not the issue,’’ said White, who boxed with Tyson under famed trainer Cus D’Amato. “It’s getting rid of the rust. You know how it goes.’’
White said Tyson will resume training Monday in Las Vegas after having taken a break in Florida, where he lives with his family, according to White. Tyson also has a home in Las Vegas.
After the four days in Arizona last month, White said, Tyson returned to Las Vegas and continued training — up to five times a day.
“Yes, it’s old school,’’ White said. “But at the same time there’s new school involved. And it’s just beautiful to watch and see.’’
What’s next?
‘As far as I know, everything’s locked in,’ Joe Trahan, Director of Media Relations & Corporate Communications for the Dallas Cowboys, told USA TODAY Sports. ‘I haven’t heard anything else that would be otherwise.’
But technically, the fight has not been approved.
That must be done by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
‘The promoter has requested to have an event that day, but we have not received any proposed (fight) cards and thus have no details about what they are planning,’ Tela Mange, Communications Director for the TDLR, told USA TODAY Sports by email. ‘All bouts are subject to review and approval by TDLR.’
Requesting a date is no guarantee of a fight taking place.
‘I can’t put a number to how often an event fails to happen, but it’s not uncommon,’ Mange said. ‘Promoters cancel for a variety of reasons before and after they’ve submitted cards to us.’