It appears as though former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson wasn’t kidding about making a comeback.
According to a report from Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports, Tyson will fight fellow legend Roy Jones Jr. in an eight-round exhibition match. The proposed bout is expected to take place Sept. 12 in Carson, Calif., at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Tyson, 54, has been frequently posting videos on his social media accounts of him training in recent months and he had expressed wanting to participate in some exhibition matches to raise money for charity.
Former champions Evander Holyfield, Riddick Bowe, Shannon Briggs and James Toney were among those who offered to fight Tyson.
“It would be crazy to receive an offer to enter the ring with him and refuse,” Jones told sports.ru earlier this week when asked about a possible matchup with Tyson. “I had no intention of going back and fighting again but, for the sake of Mike Tyson, I agree to make an exception. For me, this is an opportunity that I cannot refuse. Of all those who wanted to go into the ring with him, he chose me. And since he did that, how can I say no?”
Jones, 51, is widely considered a pound-for-pound great. He last fought in February of 2018 before retiring with a professional boxing record of 66-9 with notable wins over Bernard Hopkins, James Toney, Antonio Tarver, Virgil Hill, John Ruiz and Felix Trinidad among others.
Executive director of the California State Athletic Commission, Andy Foster, told Iole that Tyson and Jones won’t be wearing headgear but they will wear bigger gloves, possibly 12-ounce mitts.
Tyson hasn’t fought since 2005 after his infamous loss to journeyman Kevin McBride. Tyson retired with a 50-6 record with two no-contests and championship wins over Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks.
The undercard is expected to be filled with some notable athletes and celebrities.
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