In perhaps the most bizarre match-up of the year in combat sports, former world heavyweight champions Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr will collide on Saturday night in an exhibition match at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
The pair have largely been hindered by a set of tame rules that has dampened the fight’s shine in its lead up, particularly with both fighters being instructed to not knock each other out.
They will wear heavier 12-ounce gloves that will significantly limit their speed of movement and power, while also being limited to just eight two-minute rounds.
The bout will also have no judges at ringside, or a winner announced, removing any air of competitiveness.
Tyson’s last professional appearance in a boxing ring was over 15 years ago, where ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ inexplicably quit on the stool following the conclusion of the sixth round in a confusing contest with Irish journeyman Kevin McBride.
He seemed unmotivated throughout the contest, later confessing in his 2008 documentary Tyson that the bout was worth little more than a payday, and admitting that he was in poor physical condition and never anticipated getting a victory.
Despite the pairing blatantly not being a compelling match-up, fans tuned in nonetheless to witness the unerring greatness and prestige of Mike Tyson.
The two-time world heavyweight champion’s return to the ring has divided opinion to say the least, but he appears motivated, which places him amongst the most dangerous men in the world regardless of age.
Tyson’s punching power remains mythical in combat sports folklore to this day, with many fans unquestionably tuning-in on Saturday awaiting another fight-ending hook or uppercut from ‘Iron’ Mike.
Roy Jones Jr. meanwhile has fought no less than 23 times since Tyson’s retirement in the summer of 2005, taking on the likes of Antonio Tarver, Joe Calzaghe and Bernard Hopkins.
The four weight world champion’s last foray into the boxing ring was in 2018, where he ended his professional career on a winning note, picking up a one-sided decision victory over Scott Sigmon in a cruiserweight contest.
Perhaps the recency of Jones’ retirement could give the 51-year-old the advantage, with far less questions of his fighting fitness in the build up.
While the regulations have undeniably hindered the match-up’s in-ring potential, it’s undisputed that the fight has stoked a significant amount of intrigue amongst the boxing faithful, breaking the pay-per-view pre-sale fight record.
Both men have made it clear that while the rules remain in place, the volatility and aggression of the fight will remain affected; after their time away both men will want to go hell-for-leather.
