Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. turn back time and fight to a draw (Video)

Former boxing greats Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. fought in a scheduled eight-round exhibition fantasy matchup. Tyson looked like a younger man.

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson hasn’t fought as a professional for 15 years, and all-time great Roy Jones Jr. retired in 2017, but the two came together in an exhibition bout they said they considered a real fight.

It turns out that they were telling the truth.

It could only happen in 2020, where the 54-year-old Tyson and 51-year-old Jones could meet in a boxing bout live from Los Angeles’s Staples Center devoid of fans, but that was the setting of their contest.

They were supposed to fight on Sept. 12, but the hype steadily grew, and they changed the date and venue to attract more pay-per-view buys via Triller at the cost of $49.99. Before the fight aired, event promoters bragged that Tyson vs. Jones was already breaking pre-order sales for sporting events. Before the fight card started, Tyson vs. Jones was the number one trending topic on Twitter, where it remained all night.

After the performance Tyson and Jones put on, fans should be happy with their investment.

Tyson and Jones looked their aged during the weigh-in the day before the fight. Tyson came in at a trim 220 pounds while Jones came in at a career-high of 210 pounds. Tyson appeared to be in the better shape of the two, and (that observation rang true during the fight/however, Jones was the better fighter of the two.

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The night was made more authentic with Michael Buffer as the ring announcer. His famous “Let’s get ready to rumble” tagline made this night feel like an authentic boxing experience.

Jones came to the ring wearing a custom outfit and gloves made by Rival in memory of Kobe Bryant. Tyson came out to EDM music in vintage all-black apparel with that haunting scowl on his face.

Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. fought better than expected and put on a show for all those watching

Tyson showed quick lateral movement in round 1 as he chased Jones around the ring. He fired out numerous jabs, and Jones had to hold to thwart Tyson’s attack. Jones toyed with Tyson a bit as he dropped his hands and taunted the former heavyweight great. They looked pretty good for retirees in their 50s.

Even though they were only fighting two-minute rounds, both men breathed heavily before round 2. Tyson came out fast again, and Jones wisely held. Tyson connected on a left hook that got Jones’s attention. Jones moved surprisingly well around the ring. Tyson tenderized Jones’s ribs before the end of the round.

Tyson pegged Jones with a left uppercut early in round 3. Jones continued to hold, but they did clash heads on one occasion. Jones flashed more of a jab in round 4, but they spent a lot of time boxing in the clinch where Tyson punished Jones’s body.

Before round 5, commentator Sugar Ray Leonard commented on Jones’s heavy breathing. His lack of conditioning showed in the round as Tyson connected on more left hooks.

Jones ran as much as he could through rounds 6 and 7.Tyson constantly moved forward, and Jones held on for dear life. In round 7, Jones tried to throw combinations, but Tyson walked through his punches.

Tyson brought it in the eighth and final round. He found Jones with his right cross. Jones ate it well but was in survival mode. He made it to the final bell, but it was hard to give him a single round.

Since the fight was an exhibition, there was no official judging or winner. A group of former boxers Chad Dawson, Vinny Pazienza, and Christy Martin, acted as judges. They scored the bout a draw, which was likely premeditated. Tyson won the fight easily.

Tyson showed that he still has the fire and the skills. He’s not 20 anymore, but he looked like a boxer and fought with the expertise and style that made him a fan favorite. Another exhibition is likely for Tyson. Evander Holyfield would make a popular follow-up opponent. Stay tuned.