ROY JONES JR has threatened to pull OUT of Mike Tyson’s comeback fight after it was delayed until November.
The pair signed to an eight-round exhibition bout to be held on September 12.
Roy Jones Jr has threatened to pull out of Mike Tyson’s comeback fight following a row over the delay
Tyson will now make his comeback on November 28
But social media app Triller, who have the pay-per-view rights for the spectacle, announced it would be postponed 11 weeks to November 28.
And now Jones, 51, has taken legal action and warned if he is not compensated for earnings lost then he could walk away from the event.
He told the Daily Mail: “We’re trying to figure something out, my lawyers is (sic) talking with their lawyers, trying to figure out ways to make it a better situation so that I can compensated for it, that is more beneficial for me to do.’
“If they don’t make it make sense, it (the fight) would be off.
“Why would I change the date and mess up the rest of my year when I agreed to September 12.”
The fight was due to go behind closed doors, with an unnamed but recognised sanctioning body overseeing the bout.
But the delay brought up suggestions organisers are hoping fans will be allowed back into venues to bring in ticket sales.
Jones added: “They said they wanted to get a crowd, if you want to get a crowd, that’s a different type of money.
“If you want a big event, that’s a different type of money.”
Tyson, 54, last fought 15 years ago after announcing retirement in 2005.
Jones, a four-division champion, on the other hand last boxed in 2018 but insisted his income now comes from businesses outside the ring.
And those are now being affected after his ring return was pushed back.
If they don’t make it make sense, it (the fight) would be off.
Roy Jones Jr
Jones explained: “I’ve had to cancel other stuff to be out here, it’s upset my calendar, I’ve got to change things.
“That’s why we have to table bulls*** now. That’s the biggest issue, I’m not a full time boxer anymore so I do other things to make an income.
“If I can’t do other things then I should be compensated for that, because it changes the schematics. It’s not acceptable.”
Tyson has been training since March ahead of his sensational comeback, but it was only announced in July that he would be facing Jones.
The 51-year-old American does admit the new date could benefit him as it allows more time to prepare.
He said: “If everything works out, yes.
“I don’t know if things… if everything will work out yet.
“But if everything works out then yeah, it probably will help me.”
Roy Jones Jr shows he’s in fighting shape at 51 ahead of Mike Tyson bout
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
