Iron Mike Tyson Coming Back To Fight Roy Jones Jr.

It is literally a "what if" fight that boxing aficionados would discuss frequently. What if Mike Tyson fought Roy Jones Jr.? Well, come September 12, we will know that outcome of this fight, as both Tyson and Jones have agreed to an eight-round exhibition bout in Los Angeles. Rumors had been flooding the internet about Tyson possibly fighting Evander Holyfield, but, in the end, Jones Jr. agreed to the terms. 

Although both men were at the top of their game in the 80s and 90s, it has been a few years since they've seen action. Jones Jr. has actually been in the ring a lot more recently than Iron Mike, as he beat Scott Sigmon in 2018, winning the vacant cruiserweight title. 

Tyson last fought 15 years ago in a laughable performance against Kevin McBride who stopped him in the sixth round, essentially sending Tyson into retirement.

Stage is Set

Under California law, both fighters will have to wear headgear. “We’re both accomplished fighters, we know how to protect ourselves,” Tyson said. “We’ll be alright, we’re showing our skills and fighting. It’s 100 percent of it looking to be Mike Tyson in the ring, I’ve got one speed — forward.”

One of the main drivers for this bout is Tyson wanting to prove to other older athletes that age shouldn't stop them from performing at the highest level. “It’s because I can do it and I believe other people believe they can do it,” Tyson said. “We aren’t washed up. Somebody says over-age is washed up but they have a bigger fan base than the guys who are training now," he related. 

Dubbed the "baddest man on the planet," Iron Mike got things stirring on the internet after posting some training videos where he can be seen hitting the heavy bag and training with a partner looking like his old vicious self. Mike ended his career at 50-6 with 44 TKOs, while Jones Jr. finished his career at 66-9 with 47 TKOs.

When asked about the fight, Jones Jr. commented, "I've been trying to enjoy retirement, but people don't seem to want to let me retire," he said. "They keep calling me, telling me that Mike wants to come back and that you'd be a great opponent for Mike.

"We always wanted to see it, but I would've preferred it back then. Tyson is a hell of a specimen still. Still, a problem to deal with. But at the same time, life is life, you only live once. You want to know what it's like, you go in there and see. You still gotta see it."