See how pros reacted to the exhibition battle of boxing legends.
The combat sports community was unsure of what to expect with the battle of two 50+-year old boxing icons in Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. But if one thing’s for certain, the draw result was laughable, but arguably appropriate for this kind of fight taking place in 2020.
The fight was a special exhibition contest competed under specified rules as approved by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC). The bout was given a maximum of eight rounds at two minutes each, with both fighters wearing 12-ounce gloves. A cut would immediately have brought an end to the fight.
Had the fight gone to the judges, the CSAC would not score the bout. It would instead go to a panel of three boxing icons — Christy Martin, Vinny Pazienza, and Chad Dawson — to name the winner.
Professional fighters react to the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones exhibition
This was the first time that Tyson, the legendary former undisputed heavyweight champion, competed in a boxing ring since a loss to Kevin McBride in June 2005. Jones Jr., the former light heavyweight champion, last fought in February 2018 in a decision win over Scott Sigmon.
Tyson came out quite speedy in the first round, with Jones looking to stop Tyson by clinching him up and doing some boxing on the inside. Then…that pretty much became the rest of the fight.
Both certainly looked better than anticipated, though not as much as they would in their prime, obviously. A lot of clinching, a lot of inside shots, and a lot of laughter from the commentary for the fight — especially from Snoop Dogg and Israel Adesanya — surrounded the exhibition.
Ultimately, while scores weren’t announced, the bout was ruled a draw by the former WBC champions.
See how Twitter reacted to the exhibition battle of boxing legends.
Yooooo Tyson going hard to that body. #tysonvsjonesjr
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) November 29, 2020
Mike Tyson will take his pressure & head movement to the grave . Unreal #TysonJones
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) November 29, 2020
I wish this happened when they were primed.. can't lie, I'm loving this lol#TysonJones
— Adrian Yañez (@yanezmma) November 29, 2020
Tysons defensive slip abilities are still sharp!!! #tysonvsjones
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) November 29, 2020
I couldn’t bring myself to trust Mike Tyson in front of me talkin about “hard sparing” Roy brave
— Eryk Anders (@erykanders) November 29, 2020
This is the greatest thing I’ve ever seen in my life lol
— Deron Winn (@DeronWinn) November 29, 2020
Exhibition My Ass!! @MikeTyson still brings the hate!!!
— Cortney Casey (@CastIron_Casey) November 29, 2020
Somebody might die !
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) November 29, 2020
Who ever pay for the boxing tonight, slap your face 👋🏾
— C H🖕🏽T O🇪🇨V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) November 29, 2020
Anyone else wanna yell “kneeeees” when they clinching like that? Or just me? #TysonJones
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) November 29, 2020
Pass the age of 50! Forever legends! Thank you Mike Tyson and Roy Jones JR.#TysonJones #TysonvsJones
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) November 29, 2020
😂😂😂 love @MikeTyson so much!!! #tysonvsjones
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) November 29, 2020
I hope Roy doesn't get in there with Mike again. Give him a lower tier legend.#TysonJones
— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) November 29, 2020
No official decision.... but here’s a decision 😂😂 #tysonvsjones
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) November 29, 2020
The thumping sound every time Tyson landed a body shot sounded like a drum 🥁
— Benito Lopez (@Savage_530) November 29, 2020
That was fun.#TysonJones
— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) November 29, 2020
Gotta admit this is way better then i expected.. #tysonvsjones
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) November 29, 2020
I’m more than impressed right now by both of these legends #tysonvsjones
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) November 29, 2020
Following the fight, Tyson and Jones Jr. joked about the bout with Jim Gray, complimenting and thanking one another, as well as the sponsors and producers of the event. Both men stated they were okay with a draw.