Tyson 'Happy I'm Not Knocked Out'

It's a draw between Iron Mike, Roy Jones Jr.
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Nov 29, 2020 8:44 AM CST
Tyson 'Happy I'm Not Knocked Out'
In a photo provided by Triller, Mike Tyson throws a punch during the third round against Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition boxing bout Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Los Angeles. The bout was unofficially ruled a draw by the WBC judges at ringside.   (Joe Scarnici/Triller via AP)

Mike Tyson stepped through the ropes in his signature black trunks and heard the opening bell in a boxing ring for the first time in 15 years. The former heavyweight champion of the world traded lively punches with Roy Jones Jr. for eight entertaining rounds that ended with two middle-aged legends wearily hugging each other. Their fight was only an exhibition, reports the AP, and ended in a draw. But for Tyson, the experience evoked the joy he felt so long ago at the start of his boxing career—and it was likely the start of a new chapter. “I'm happy I'm not knocked out," Tyson said. “I'll look better in the next one.” Tyson showed glimpses of his destructive prime Saturday night during the 54-year-old boxing icon's return to the ring against the 51-year-old Jones. Tyson had the most impactful punches, showing off versions of the footwork and combinations that made him the world's most feared fighter. After eight two-minute rounds, both Tyson and Jones emerged from Staples Center smiling and apparently healthy.

“This is better than fighting for championships,” Tyson said of the exhibition, which raised money for various charities. “We’re humanitarians now. We can do something good for the world.” Iron Mike did his best to demonstrate his months of work to recapture a measure of the form that made him a legend to a generation of boxing fans. Tyson tagged Jones with body shots, head shots, and a particularly nasty uppercut during a bout that was required by the California State Athletic Commission to be a reasonably safe, glorified sparring session. Tyson was exhausted two hours afterward, but also clearly energized. “I took my youth for granted,” Tyson said. “This event made me find out what I was really made of. ... My body feels splendid. I want to beat it up some more." Snoop Dogg's witty commentary was among the loudest noises inside Staples, and he had a handful of zingers: "This is like two of my uncles fighting at the barbecue!” (Meanwhile, a mind-altering drug told Tyson what to do.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X