Legendary Mike Tyson sat boxing at age 54 with an intense exhibition match against fellow former world heavyweight champion Roy Jones Jr., 51, which ended in a draw.
Fifteen years after retiring with a 2005 loss to Irishman Kevin McBride, Tyson once again stepped into a ring at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, with no audience present due to the coronavirus pandemic, in a television production that mixed curiosity and nostalgia.
Tyson, one of the most powerful and controversial boxers in history, went from the first bell to the offensive against Jones Jr. who during the first rounds could not help but try to contain the fury of “Iron Mike.”
The fight went to eight rounds.
From the fifth round, which were limited to two minutes in length to reduce risks for the fighters, Jones Jr. showed signs of fatigue and Tyson insistently looked for the knockout but finally, as agreed, this unofficial fight ended without a winner .
“I think I won but I agree with the draw,” said Tyson at the end of the fight.
The fighter from Brooklyn (New York), who ended his professional career with a balance of 50 wins and 6 losses with 44 knockouts, lost about 45 kilos to prepare for the challenge against Jones Jr. (66-9), who was world champion in four categories and had less downtime as he last fought in 2018. AFP (HN).