Mike Tyson has dubbed the late, great Diego Maradona his 'soul brother' ahead of his fight with Jake Paul later this year.

The two sporting icons had a surprising friendship prior to the death of Maradona in 2020.

Their paths crossed on numerous occasions, with Maradona once gifting Tyson an Argentina shirt signed by himself back in 2005.

Tyson loved the shirt and wore it while appearing at a Brazilian court that same year.

Now, while speaking to Benzinga, Tyson was asked about his friendship with Maradona.

He revealed he never drank or smoked with the football legend, but does believe the 1986 World Cup winner is his 'soul brother'.

"I never smoked with him; I never drank with him," he said.

"But we were soul brothers.

"We just loved each other from the first time we ever met."

Tyson previously paid tribute to Maradona when the Argentine died in 2020.

He said at the time: "The Hand of God, Maradona has left us.

"In 86 we both won our championships. They use to compare the two of us.

"He was one of my heroes and a friend. I respected him so much. He will be greatly missed."

Meanwhile, Tyson is currently focused on his upcoming fight with Paul.

The boxing legend will be taking part in his first fight since 2020, when he drew with Roy Jones Jr.

British star Denzel Bentley has opened up on the pair as the showdown creeps closer.

And Bentley fears fans could be about to see the 'demise' of Iron Mike, especially given how he'll be facing an opponent 30 years his junior.

"Everyone wants to make money and good luck to them," he said.

"I'm not interested in it if I'm being honest, but this fight here is a young athletic guy against an old man who hasn't worked out in a long time.

⚽️🥊🌿 EXCLUSIVA: MIKE TYSON HABLA DE DIEGO MARADONA ¿Compartieron un porro?👇 pic.twitter.com/lldzqC5whr

— El Planteo 🌱 (@elplanteo) May 8, 2024

"It's not the same Mike Tyson we have all loved and known, so I fancy watching him come to his demise.

"He is 58 and not a 58-year-old that keeps in good shape, he smokes weed and lives his life.

"He is only in the gym now because of this fight, Jake Paul is an athlete, he is a young man and coming into his physical prime and is trying to take boxing seriously.

"So I think it could be very dangerous for Mike Tyson."

Tyson's trainer, Rafael Cordeiro, insists his man will come out on top.

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"I believe we don’t have to be concerned about it. We’re talking about a two-time world champion.

"The guy didn’t have 20 fights in two years, he knows how to fight. He’s fought against the best guys in the world.

"When he steps inside the ring he knows what to do. It’s not something new for Mike, and this fight is no different.

"He works hard every single day to go in there and try to knock Jake out from the beginning to the end. He’s going to prove that in July."