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Roy Jones Jr and Mike Tyson celebrate their split drawing at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on November 28, 2020.
Joe Scarnici / Getty Images for Triller
Mike tyson plans to fight more exhibitions after a draw with Roy jones jr on Saturday on his comeback at age 54 and Jones says it will be tough to beat.
“I’m happy I’m not knocked out or anything. I’ll be better next time,” Tyson said after the eight-round display at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
“I could have done everything better. God willing, I’ll be better [in] the next exhibition. “
The showdown of former heavyweight champions saw Jones, 51, thinking he won the fight, but impressed by the endurance and strength displayed by Tyson.
“I was surprised he could go eight rounds,” Jones said. “He could go with anyone. If he connects, you’ll have a problem. He can do whatever he wants.”
A three-judge panel scored a tie in the fight, with no details being announced, but Jones didn’t care as much about that result.
“I thought I had won the fight, I hit better and controlled the fight, but I’m fine with a draw,” Jones said. “We both did well and everyone was entertained.”
Tyson hopes to organize more bouts, up to one every two months to stay in shape, mentioning possible places like Monaco or France.
“Anything is possible. The sky is the limit,” Tyson said. “I am able to help a lot of people around the world.”
Tyson, who hadn’t stepped into the ring in a fight in 15 years, said he doesn’t see his return as an ego effort, as he has dropped 100 pounds to get fit for the fight.
“I don’t think it’s a midlife crisis for me,” Tyson said. “I think it’s my ego and my ego tells me to do things that I am afraid to do. I am so happy I did this. I will do it again.”
Away from the “Iron Mike” of their dominant days as heavyweight champions in the late 1980s, Tyson delights more in going the distance than in aiming for knockouts.
“I was happy to go all the way with him. That’s really fighting, having the stamina,” Tyson said. “You’re not going to knock out everyone. I used to go kill fast. Now I’m training for distance.”
“I don’t expect to win. I hope to go to eight rounds and entertain the crowd.”
Even with rounds cut down to two minutes and gloves larger than usual in safety moves ordered by state boxing officials, Tyson was able to produce more than enough punching power for Jones, who held onto Tyson for much of the fight.
“I’m happy to cross this off my wish list,” Jones said. “Everything hurts when it made contact and makes you feel very fatigued. I think I felt the uppercut more. My jaw still feels it.”
Tyson says he has modest goals and simple needs these days as he long ago put aside the need for mansions, boats, cars, drugs and a wild lifestyle and now favors his ability to raise money for charities like the support for needy youth.
“Old Mike Tyson is no more,” he said. “This is a better cause for me. I am here for a purpose.
“I never liked who I was. I like who I am now.”
