Raiders owner provided Las Vegas warehouse space Mike Tyson is using for training purposes
LAS VEGAS — Mike Tyson learned to fight on the streets of Brownsville in New York. He’s training for his boxing match against Jake Paul in a far different environment.
Even if the former world champion loses his bout against Paul on July 20 in Texas, his temporary gym in the Las Vegas area might be up for architectural design awards.
Images of the sleek facility have emerged in recent weeks on Instagram. They include video of Tyson working out, with plush leather chairs set up for viewing outside the ring.
Designed by Tyson’s wife, Kiki, the space is modeled after the Mike Tyson Boxing Club in Saudi Arabia. A scaled-down version, maybe no more than a slice, was built inside a warehouse owned by Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis near his team’s training headquarters in Henderson, Nevada, according to Azim Spicer, Tyson's brother-in-law.
"Mark Davis is a friend of Mike’s," Spicer told USA TODAY Sports by email. "Mark was super helpful in allowing us to utilize this space temporarily. His team has been awesome assisting us with the best vendors to build out Mike’s vision."
Davis did not respond to requests for comment left with the Raiders media relations department by voicemail and email. But Tyson was on the Raiders' sideline during warmups before the team's regular-season home opener last season and lit the Al Davis Memorial Torch before kickoff.
It's a modern look with at least one vestige of Tyson's past − the numbered Cus D'Amato Willie Heavy Bag that D'Amato used to teach Tyson punching combinations. Tyson has demonstrated how the bag is used.
How do you schedule a tour or just drop by for a visit?
Not easily.
"It’s very private," said Tyson’s publicist, Joann Mignano.