Lennox Lewis believes his old heavyweight rival Mike Tyson will be able to handle his return to the ring and leave Jake Paul “in trouble” when the two clash later this month.

The 58-year-old faces Paul at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on November 15 in Texas, marking the former undisputed world champion’s first professional fight since losing to Kevin McBride in 2005.

Tyson played an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020 but will now face an opponent 31 years his junior, with Lewis expecting the veteran to use his experience to his advantage.

“It’s hard to box when you’re that age, moving around the ring, throwing punches, getting punches thrown at you, but I think he can handle it.” Lewis told Sky Sports.

“I thought Jake Paul was going to be in trouble because Mike Tyson knows how to throw great body punches and great head shots. We just have to see if he’s going to do them in the ring – I hope he does.” I will do that.”

Paul has won 10 of his 11 previous fights, with his only loss coming in a split-decision defeat to Tommy Fury, although Lewis predicts the YouTube star will face a tougher challenge in the eight-round contest.

“(I expect to see) Mike Tyson just cutting off the ring and delivering body and head blows while he can overtake Jake Paul,” Lewis added.

“I’m sure Jake Paul will be fast and move around the ring. He won’t want to stand there and get hit by Mike Tyson! I’ll be there and it’ll be exciting.”

Could Lewis join Tyson in boxing again?

Lewis retired from boxing in 2004 after his last fight against Vitali Klitschko the year before, with the 59-year-old reluctant to follow Tyson in making a competitive return to the ring.

“There’s always a temptation,” Lewis said. “As a boxer, everyone always says ‘well, when are you going to get back in the ring?’ I’m like, ‘I’m retired.’

“There’s a moment and then you have to leave it alone and do something else and that’s me.”

Paul went from YouTube star to professional fighter as part of a new wave of ‘influencer boxers’, with Lewis admitting he had mixed views on the fanbase and the level of interest their matches can generate.

“It’s good and bad,” Lewis admitted. “A lot of boxers who train and work hard and try to get a shot at the championship don’t get a chance.

“All of a sudden a YouTuber comes along and gets all the excitement, all the praise and the money. So it’s not fair in that way.”