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Mike Tyson said he will “continue to go further and do more” in the boxing ring after his return to the sport ended in an attractive draw with Roy Jones Jr.
The 54-year-old former heavyweight king of the world ended 15 years of inactivity to face Jones, 51, in a high-profile ‘display’, but fears that the pair were serving in some form of money-making sham has not they were. They found that they did enough to provide entertainment.
While rap artist Snoop Dog said it was like watching “two of my uncles fight at a barbecue” during his time as a front-row commentator, boxing legends like David Haye, Lennox Lewis and George Foreman expressed satisfaction.
There were glimpses of the past as Tyson rocked from the hips, lunged forward, and tried to unload shots, while Jones looked to move fluidly, though he was visibly drained in the middle stage.
Tyson landed a pair of flashy left hooks, some solid body shots, and certainly forced the pace. Many on social media felt that he had won well, but the judges, employed not by the sanctioning body but by the WBC to provide additional entertainment, thought otherwise.
Tyson said he was happy with the giveaway and made it clear that his future activities would not be in a professional capacity: “This is bigger than the championships, we are humanitarian, we are helping people. I am happy to have this under the belt and I will continue to go further and do more. “
Jones, a former four-weight world champion, said he would speak to his family before considering fighting again, adding: “I don’t draw, but the guy is so strong. When he hits you, his head, his punches, his punches. to the body, everything hurts. I’m fine with the draw. “
So did it work?
Former world heavyweight champion Foreman tweeted that it was “the best display I have ever seen,” Haye said the event was “competitive” and former world super middleweight champion Richie Woodhall said the pair ” he was not disgraced in any way. ” .
The aspect of an “exhibition” was up for debate. Comments from the organizers that there could be no knockouts, cuts and no official winner caused confusion.
In the end, when the bell rang, Tyson tried to fight aggressively, Jones sought to survive and tie up his rival a bit, and any fear that they would walk and do little was quickly overcome.
Musical artists like Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg performed in an attempt to add to the pay-per-view offer, and moments before their walk through the ring, Jones questioned the little ring in use, saying, “It’s like they’re giving me eat the bear. “
Shortly before a walk through the ring in his prime, Tyson was poking holes in the locker room walls. Here, he admitted his fears moments before his walk through the ring when he said, “I’m trying hard. Everything I’m afraid to do, I do.”
Jones’ energy tank seemed almost empty by half, but Tyson, who will donate part of the reported $ 10 million (£ 7.5 million) he earned to charity, appeared to be well-conditioned in the shorter format of eight rounds of two. minutes.
UFC President Dana White observed and said, “Time is undefeated and it brings us all down. Fighting is a youth game. Mike looked amazing tonight. I was blown away. He exceeded my expectations.”
Since his first world heavyweight title win at age 20, a record that still stands, Tyson has been in prison for rape, battled drug and alcohol abuse, went bankrupt, acted in movies, and led his own individual program.
Despite the scandal and mayhem, he has remained relevant with fans posting footage of the infernal figure they expected to see moments before a return to the ring that some had anticipated and ridiculed by others.
While it was acceptable and entertaining, it’s hard to see how repeat edits can be so engaging. In large part, it was about seeing if a 54-year-old former champion had anything left.
Tyson proved it was. He was fit, he struck threateningly and it can be argued that some high-profile pro fights have offered less in terms of entertainment.
However, whether there was enough quality, risk, and drama on offer to make people pay to see more is another matter.
‘Snoop Dogg wins’ – reaction
Paul looks at McGregor after controversial knockout
On the undercard, Jake Paul knocked out former NBA basketball player Nate Robinson in two rounds.
You Tube star Paul, now a licensed professional wrestler, left the hapless Robinson on the mat and required medical assistance after a heavy fall.
The finale prompted widespread questions on social media about how former New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls player Robinson received a license to be in the ring in the first place.
And Paul, whose only other pro fight came in January, had the most to offer when he called out UFC star Conor McGregor among others, insisting he would knock out the Irishman.
The 23-year-old later tagged McGregor’s agent in a tweet that read, “I mean, what fighter with this great platform is calling McGregor? It’s going to happen that everyone will see.”
