Brazilian coach is “secret weapon” against Jake Paul

With a successful career as a martial arts trainer in the United States, the Curitiba native Rafael Cordeiro is the “secret weapon” of the legend Mike Tyson for the boxing duel with Jake Paul, this Friday (15), at AT&T Stadium, in Texas.

Now 51 years old, “Master” Rafael Cordeiro, as he is known, is one of the great revelations of the traditional Chute Boxe academy in Curitiba. Under the team’s banner, he won his third Brazilian Muay Thai championship and the International Vale-Tudo Championship lightweight belt.

In 1999, after a fight in Japan, Rafael Cordeiro reached the Master Rudimar Fedrigofounder of Chute Boxe, and asked to retire as a fighter to begin his coaching career.

“Master Rafael has always been very skilled. When he asked to be a coach, I gave my full support. He became a reference, one of the team’s main coaches. All this recognition he has today is very symbolic for me, because all the base he learned at Chute Boxe”, said Rudimar Fedrigo to OneTwo Sports.

One of Rafael’s great mat partners, who later became one of his teammates, was Wanderlei Silva. Mad Dog highlights that the trainer was one of his main motivations for continuing the fight.

“He was a source of inspiration for me. He was a very brave guy, very professional and plastic. He fought beautifully. He was always an idol for me. I believe he was the best guy I saw fight”, highlights Wand, who He had Rafael Cordeiro in his corner from his first fight to his last.

Partnership with Mike Tyson is already old

Since 2010, Rafael Cordeiro has lived in the United States, where he opened his own gym: Kings MMA. In his team, big names from Chute Boxe have already been there, such as Wanderlei Silva, Maurício Shogun and Cris Cyborg.

The partnership with Mike Tyson began in 2020, when the boxing legend put aside retirement for an exhibition fight with Roy Jones Jr., which took place in November of that year.

“Without a doubt, it is an Olympus for any coach to have this partnership with Mike Tyson. This shows the quality, intelligence and experience that master Rafael has. Imagine how much the two are learning from each other”, declares Wanderlei Silva.

In a recent podcast interview Didn’t even see memaster Rudimar Fedrigo recalled that he and Rafael Cordeiro followed Mike Tyson’s fights together in the past. To the OneTwo Sports Rudimar celebrated the partnership between the two.

“I think they’re a perfect pair (Tyson and Rafael). I’m very proud of the work he’s been doing. It’s like an extension of my work. Let’s really hope for Tyson’s victory”, he highlights.

Mike Tyson x Jake Paul: find out how to watch

The confrontation between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul takes place this Friday (15), starting at 10pm (Brasília time), in Texas, in the United States. The main card will be broadcast exclusively on the streaming channel Netflix.

Mike Tyson x Jake Paul: see the full card

November 15, 2024, at 7:30 pm (Brasília time), in Arlington (USA)
MAIN CARD (10pm Brasília time):
Heavyweight: Jake Paul x Mike Tyson
Super-lightweight: Katie Taylor x Amanda Serrano
Welterweight: Mario Barrios x Abel Ramos
Super middleweight: Neeraj Goyat x Whindersson Nunes
PRELIMINARY CARD (7:30 pm Brasília time):
Super middleweight: Shadasia Green x Melinda Watpool
Peso-leve: Lucas Bahdi x Corey Marksman
Featherweight: Bruce Carrington x Dana Coolwell