Mike Tyson came out of his corner in hot pursuit, stalking Roy Jones Jr. around the ring and landing punches with ferocity. Jones flashed some of his classic deception and slick boxing skills, catching "Iron Mike" with no-look jabs and precise, pointed shots at times.
Although the 54-year-old Tyson and 51-year-old Jones weren't anywhere close to what they once were as rulers of the ring during their respective primes, they offered boxing fans 16 minutes of competitive action over eight rounds in their exhibition bout Saturday night at Staples Center in Los Angeles and live on pay-per-view. By the end of the bout, WBC judges Christy Martin, Vinny Pazienza and Chad Dawson called the bout a draw. DAZN News had it 79-73 for Tyson, who looked to be in better shape and was the more active fighter.
"Yeah," Tyson said when Jim Gray asked him if he thought he won the fight, "but I'm good with the draw."
Jones wasn't satisfied with the draw at all.
"I wear draws," Jones joked, "I don't do draws."
However, Jones did call the experience of facing Tyson a "bucket list" writeoff, while adding that "everything hurts" after experiencing the former undisputed heavyweight champ's power shots.
Tyson, as predicted, was the aggressor, giving chase to Jones and landing some of his signature hooks to the body and face with the ferocity that he was known for over the 1980s and 1990s. Jones resorted to clinching early, but was able to pick and choose some of his potshots, showing a sliver of wizardry and magic that made him an elusive four-division world champion. Although those moments were seldom, the bout offered a blast of nostalgia that should've pleased boxing fans and a captive casual audience as the COVID-19 global pandemic continues.
Tyson assured Gray that he'll fight again, while Jones said he'll talk things over with his family before making a decision.
Here's how the entire Tyson vs. Jones main card went.
Tyson vs. Jones card
Main card
- Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. fight to a draw; Heavyweight
- Jake Paul def. Nate Robinson by second-round KO; Cruiserweight
- Badou Jack def. Blake McKernan via unanimous decision (80-72, 80-72, 80-72); Light heavyweight
- Jamaine Ortiz def. Nahir Albright by seventh-round TKO; Lightweight