Mike Tyson has been offered advice by his old rival Evander Holyfield before fighting Jake Paul.

Heavyweight legend ‘Iron Mike’ is back in the ring on July 20 when he fights YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium in Texas. Tyson will be 58-years-old on fight night and is competing in a professional bout for the first time since being KO’d by journeyman Kevin McBride in 2005.

Holyfield returned to boxing three years ago at the same age as Tyson for an exhibition bout against former UFC champion Vitor Belfort. ‘The Real Deal’ looked a shell of his old self and was KO’d in the first round, but thinks Tyson could hold his own against Paul despite being over twice his age.

“I don’t know how much confidence Jake Paul has but he will be a lot quicker,” Holyfield told Fight Hub TV. “If he stays close to Mike, then his chance of winning is going to be great. If he tries to stay back from Mike, then he is going to get caught. Mike is like a snake. He will pop out on you, he gets there too quick.

“If you charge him, you can smother him because he pushes off his legs because he is too close. If you give him room, everybody will get knocked out going backwards. You are going to be messed up. It all depends on how Jake fights, can he take a good shot? I’ve never seen him get hit by anybody.”

“I think the only thing [Tyson] can catch him with is a left hook or a right hand. You don’t get into these things if you don’t believe you can win. I haven’t ever fought and not thought I was going to win. That’s the process of being a true fighter, you’re going to give it your all when you get in there.”

Paul has bulked up to a massive 230lb ahead of the fight to try and be a similar weight to ‘Iron Mike’, who weighed 220lb during his reign as undisputed heavyweight champion. Tyson has mocked Paul’s new physique and has vowed to turn back the clock with a vintage KO win against his rival.