Mike Tyson sparring partner believes Jake Paul Is underestimating Tyson

Many fans might not yet know Mike Russell, the Petaluma-based cruiserweight who’s now spent two training camps with Mike Tyson over the past four years—including the current one, leading up to Tyson’s upcoming fight against Jake Paul. 

The bout, set for Friday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, is expected to draw 65,000 fans and will be featured as the main event on Netflix, a sanctioned eight-round fight with two-minute rounds, marking Tyson’s return to the ring.

“Training with Mike has been a great experience,” Russell told BoxingScene. “It’s my second time in camp with them, and I’m super close with the team. It’s been fun, and I’m just happy to help out Mike and see him ready to beat Jake Paul.”

Russell, who holds a record of 5-1 (3 KOs), connected with Tyson’s camp somewhat by chance. A coach from Los Angeles reached out to his father and trainer, Brian Russell, before Tyson’s fight with Roy Jones Jnr in 2020. Though they couldn’t make it to a short-notice sparring session that Monday, they arrived by Tuesday.

“We got there, and I guess Monday was a mess with guys coming in just trying to make a name,” Russell recalled. 

Russell said his goal was simply to help Tyson, who returns to boxing with a record of 50-6 (44 KOs) at the age of 58. “I told them, ‘I’ve been doing this since I was eight years old,’” Russell said. “‘Whatever you need, I’ll do.’ I got in there, sparred with Mike, and just clicked with everyone. They even offered for me to move in with Billy White, Mike’s head coach.

“Billy has been with Mike since he was 13, back when they were training with Cus D’Amato. Hearing all the old philosophies and learning from them, it’s been something special. I’ve told Mike a hundred times, ‘You don’t have to pay me to be here. You’re family to me.’”

With Tyson’s comeback fight approaching, Russell, who shares a similar 6ft 1ins build, says Tyson’s looking better than ever. “He was great versus Roy Jones Jr., and now he’s looking 10 times better,” Russell said, after returning a rental car at the Dallas/Fort Worth arena. “He’s been putting in the hard work. He’s going to win by knockout.”

As for the 27-year-old Paul, who holds a record of 10-1 (7 KOs) and now trains in Puerto Rico, Russell is confident Tyson has the advantage. “I’ve met Jake a couple of times,” Russell said. “I’m definitely more athletic than Jake. I’ve been boxing longer, I’m better, faster, stronger. I feel Mike’s going to go in there, and it’ll be an easy night. Jake’s definitely underestimating Mike.”