Mike Tyson has an open invitation to train Francis Ngannou after helping the former UFC champion prepare for his boxing debut.
Ngannou shocked the world when he dropped WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and almost caused a monumental upset at the ‘Battle of the Baddest’ last October.
Fury almost suffered a humiliating upset against NgannouCredit: Getty
Ahead of the bout, Mike Tyson joined the MMA fighter’s camp and ultimately helped the Cameroonian KO artist push Fury to a controversial split decision.
Dewey Cooper, who combines his job as Ngannou’s striking coach with running Team Combat League, has now explained how the boxing legend came to join their camp and highlighted the main benefit of having him in the gym.
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“Mike used to come to my fights, so we’ve been friends for a long time,” Cooper told talkSPORT.com.
“Four years ago, Francis went on Mike Tyson’s podcast, and Francis was talking about fighting Tyson Fury and people like that way back then.
“He made an agreement with Mike Tyson that if he did a boxing fight Mike would have to work his corner because Mike Tyson was so influential in Francis wanting to take this journey.
“Mike had to be a part of it. He trained Francis when he could. He had a very busy schedule. He and I are good friends, so whenever he came in, he took over. It’s Mike Tyson!
“I think the main factor he played, besides the great training and instructions, was the motivation of Francis. When Mike Tyson came to the gym, Francis lit up like a kid on Christmas morning about to open his gifts.”
Ngannou’s performance against Fury earned him another mega-fight against former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua, who he will face in Saudi Arabia on March 8.
The former UFC star benefited from his time with ‘Iron Mike’Credit: Mike Tyson – Instagram
Dewey Cooper loved having Tyson in camp tooCredit: Getty
Cooper expects Tyson to join their camp again and says he is happy to have ‘Iron Mike’ play as big a role as Ngannou wants him to over the next couple of months.
He added: “Whatever way Francis wants Mike Tyson to be involved he will be.
“I love Mike, we go back way before any of this Francis Ngannou–UFC stuff was happening anyway.
“So, I hope he will come through like he did last time and keep implementing his mentality and technique.
“I’m sure he will, but either way, [Ngannou] is going to be prepared and ready to go against Anthony Joshua.”
