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LOS ANGELES: Mike Tyson’s return to boxing at age 54 ended in a draw with Roy Jones Jr., 51, on Saturday (November 28) in an eight-round exhibition battle of former heavyweight champions.
Fifteen years after retiring with a 2005 loss to officer Kevin McBride, Tyson returned to the Staples Center in Los Angeles without spectators in a pay-per-view showdown that mixed curiosity and nostalgia.
Officials at the California State Athletic Commission required two-minute rounds instead of the usual three-minute rounds, demanded larger-than-normal 12-ounce gloves, said none of the fighters would be able to seek a knockout, and stated no there could be an official winner in security moves for the over 50 fighters.
“Sometimes those two minutes feel like three minutes,” Tyson said. “I’m glad I have this under my belt and can’t wait to do it again.
Roy Jones Jr. throws a first round punch against Mike Tyson on November 28, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: Joe Scarnici / Getty Images for Triller / AFP)
An “unofficial” panel of former World Boxing Council champions at ringside scored a draw in the fight, a result that Tyson applauded despite appearing to dominate.
“I’m fine with that,” Tyson said, admitting that he thought he had won the fight. “Yeah, but I’m good with a draw. The crowd was happy with that.”
Jones, who looked tired and held onto Tyson for much of the fight, wasn’t happy about a draw.
“I’m never happy with a draw. I don’t draw,” Jones said, admitting that Tyson hurt him throughout the fight, particularly with body shots.
“If he hits you with the head, punches, body shots, it doesn’t matter, it all hurts. Body shots definitely took a toll. Body shots are what wears you out.”
Tyson, who came in 50-6 with 44 knockouts, lost 45kg and began training again, his desire to get back in shape turned into a hunger to put the gloves on once more.
Jones, who went 66-9 with 47 knockouts, had not fought since a cruiserweight win in February 2018. He hoped a solid effort against Tyson could lead to a fight with Brazilian mixed martial arts star Anderson Silva of 45 years.
“IT’S GOING TO PAIN”
Tyson came out aggressive and fast, swinging and connecting often with the body of Jones, who could punch and evade at times, and then hug Tyson often when all else failed.
“You came back. I hit you with good shots and you took it,” Tyson told Jones. “We have to do this again.”
A hard left hit to the head stung Jones in the second round and he spent much of the third and fourth rounds holding and shifting with Tyson.
“It’s something that takes a hit from Mike,” Jones said. “Once he gets in there, I’m ready. I’ll go all the way. I know when he hits me it’s going to hurt.”
Mike Tyson throws a punch in the third round against Roy Jones Jr on November 28, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: Joe Scarnici / Getty Images for Triller / AFP)
Tyson landed an inside right and a strong left to Jones’ head in the fifth round, then connected to the body with a solid right and left in the sixth, Jones evaded a right uppercut and tied Tyson before he could land combinations. important.
Tyson stung the middle of Jones in the seventh round, but was held back before he could take the advantage.
In the eighth and final round, Tyson hit a pair of left hooks to the body, but Jones tied him up and they ended up trading inside shots.
“I was very happy to go to the eight rounds,” Tyson said. “I am happier with going the distance.
“I was afraid of hurting myself. Why is no one worried about my butt? I haven’t done this in 15 years.
Tyson ruled the heavyweight division overwhelmingly in the late 1980s, but struggled through the 1990s, lost his title, was found guilty of rape, and served a ban after biting off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear. .
He faded from the scene after the 2002 world title loss to Lennox Lewis and has now returned to help launch his Legends Only League for star athletes of legal age.
“This is bigger than fighting for championships,” Tyson declared. “I am helping people now.”
