Freddie Roach Discusses The End Of Mike Tyson’s Career

When you think of an iconic fighter you think of Mike Tyson. The same thing applies when you think of Freddie Roach as a trainer. Both of them together in Tyson’s prime would have been a sight to see.

Roach, however, would not see that version of Tyson (50-6, 2NC) when he started training Tyson after a knockout loss against Lennox Lewis in 2002. The 35-year-old Tyson (at the time), once one of the most dangerous fighters in the world, was not the same person he was in the later 80s/early 90s. Roach ended up speaking to Chris Mannix on DAZN about his time with Tyson.

“Mike’s a great guy and I did train him for a couple of fights before the end of his career but his heart wasn’t really wasn’t in it at that time,” Roach stated, via Boxing Scene. “If he didn’t knock you out in a couple of rounds he’d get a torn meniscus in his knee or an injury somewhere here or there. But the thing is Mike is a great puncher, he trains very hard.”

A former WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring Heavyweight Champion, Tyson beat Clifford Etienne via KO in the first round in 2003. It was one of the last highlights for him, however, as he lost to Danny Williams via knockout and Kevin McBride via retirement in 2005. A man with 44 wins via knockout, Tyson wouldn’t box after that.

Tyson has since announced his return to the ring to fight for charity. In recent videos, he showed how in shape he was, his passion for the sport renewed. His hand speed appeared to have not gone away, something Roach admired even in his old age.

“Being with Mike for two fights it was a lot of fun, I enjoyed it,” Roach went on to say, via talkSPORT. “Catching him on the mitts was very difficult and a lot of fun. Getting whacked by Mike Tyson with the right hook isn’t my favorite spot but I lived through it…He was very explosive. He hit me in the chin one day, I didn’t go down but I was definitely knocked out on my feet!”

Roach would go on to say that Tyson could have had a better run if he was not in jail for 3+ years. Tyson was convicted in 1992 and returned to the ring in 1995.

As of this moment, Roach has not expressed a desire to be in Tyson’s corner for whoever he faces.