KEY POINTS

  • Floyd Mayweather earned Mike Tyson's support 
  • Tyson says Mayweather can become a great boxing trainer
  • Tyson calls Mayweather a "gym rat"

Just recently, Floyd Mayweather Jr. bared his interest in becoming a boxing trainer in the future. Predicting himself to be the best in that line, the retired undefeated champion gained support from Mike Tyson.

In an interview with TMZ Sports, Tyson backed up Mayweather’s confident claim and justified it by calling his fellow fight icon a “gym rat.” Highlighting the latter’s work ethic, Tyson said he won’t deny the 43-year-old of a shot to following the success of his late uncle and former trainer, Roger.

"Mostly, the guy that's the great trainer is not the great fighter and that's why he becomes the great trainer," said Tyson. “So, what separates Floyd from the rest? I give Floyd a good chance because Floyd's a gym rat, that's all he does."

"You see him in the club for one week but he's in the gym every day for 25 years. Even when he goes out and party, he's back in the gym the next day. He does it in his sleep, this is what he do,” the heavyweight legend added.

In a long Instagram post on April 9, Mayweather expressed his intentions to go after the footsteps of his uncle as he was showing himself training his nephew.

"As many of you know, I've had incredible trainers which included my dad and uncle. Due to the recent passing of my Uncle Roger, I've felt inspired to help those around me the same way they have been there for me throughout my boxing career," he wrote.

"I am new at training and so far I've been working with people with no boxing experience, therefore we are growing together. But I promise you, I will be one of the best trainers in the world."

Roger passed away in March due to complications from diabetes. He was best known as the head cornerman during the younger Mayweather’s reign in the sport, having won several world titles while keeping the prized fighter’s record unscathed.

But while he begins to prepare for a different path in boxing, Floyd Jr. has not ruled out the possibility of a comeback inside the ring. And if the clues come into fruition, Tyson said he will not hesitate to place his money into Mayweather’s side.

Mike Tyson
Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson arrives to the American Theatre Wing's annual Tony Awards in New York, June 9, 2013. Reuters/Carlo Allegri