Tyson, 54, will take on 51-year-old Jones Jr in Los Angeles on September 12 in an ‘eight-round exhibition bout’
Boxing legend Mike Tyson, the youngest ever heavyweight world champion, has confirmed he will make his comeback to the ring aged 54 on September 12 against another veteran in fellow American Roy Jones Jr.
Tyson, who has not boxed for 15 years, will take on Jones in an “eight-round exhibition bout” that will be broadcast as a pay-per-view event on a social media platform.
Reports suggested that the fight will take place under the sanctioning of the California State Athletic Commission.
Tyson has been in the gym with coach Rafael Cordeiro, getting back into shape during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.
The short videos of his explosive combinations have thrilled fans, who had been calling for the return of ‘Iron’ Mike, although the once destructive heavyweight quit on his stool 15 years ago against Kevin McBride, and last held a world title 24 years ago.
Tyson was a sensation at the age of 20, when he claimed his first world title by knocking out Trevor Berbick inside two rounds in Las Vegas in 1986.
With former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield also in training during lockdown, there had even been whispers of a trilogy fight between the pair of old rivals, but Tyson’s opponent instead will be 51-year-old Jones, who held titles in four different weight classes – middleweight, super-middleweight, light-heavyweight and heavyweight – and who fought 75 times, the last of those in 2018.
Tyson finished his professional career with 50 wins and six losses and now runs a cannabis farm retreat.
This Article First Appeared On The Telegraph