Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones result: Legends’ exhibition fight ends in draw

The two former world champions met in an exhibition fight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles

Ben Burrows
Sunday 29 November 2020 06:25 GMT
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Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr weigh in

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Mike Tyson rolled back the years against Roy Jones Jr as the two boxing legends drew their special one-off exhibition fight in Los Angeles.

The two former world champions and Hall of Fame fighters met at the Staples Center on Saturday night.

Iron Mike called time on his glittering and often controversial professional career back in 2005 with Jones, now 51, still remaining active in recent years fighting last in 2018.

15 years on from hanging up his gloves, the 54-year-old Tyson showed some fleeting glimpses of the trademark speed that at his peak made him one of the most dangerous and feared fighters in history. 

Tyson started the fight the stronger dominating proceedings from the middle of the ring, tagging Jones in the body and to the head and putting together some neat combinations albeit landing without the signature power of old.

Jones struggled to match Tyson’s superior movement and visibly looked the wearier as the fight went the distance.

With revised rules negotiated with the California State Athletic Commission in play a stoppage was never on the cards with the two embracing smiling and more importantly healthy at the end of the eighth and final round before the judges’ decision of a draw was confirmed.

“This is better than fighting for championships,” Tyson said of the clash, which raised money for various charities. "We're humanitarians now. We can do something good for the world. We've got to do this again."

“The body shots definitely took a toll,” said Jones. “It's something to take the punches that Mike throws. I'm cool with a draw. Maybe we can do it again.”

Earlier in the night YouTube star Jake Paul knocked out former NBA player Nate Robinson while Badou Jack won an unanimous decision against Blake McKernan.

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