MIKE TYSON and Roy Jones Jr will meet at the Staples Center in Los Angeles next month after the venue was confirmed at their first press conference.
WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE BELOW (MAY CONTAIN STRONG LANGUAGE)
Follow ALL of the updates here…
BE THERE OR BE SQUARE
Who else can’t wait to see THE man himself, Iron Mike Tyson, back in action after today’s press conference?
Roll on next month!
WHO IS ON THE UNDERCARD?
YouTuber Jake Paul leads the way on the four-fight card when he takes on ex-NBA star Nate Robinson.
Elsewhere KSI’s trainer Viddal Riley is also in action as is former super-middleweight champion Badou Jack.
- Tyson vs Jones Jr
- Badou Jack vs Blake McKernan
- Jake Paul vs Nate Robinson
- Viddal Riley vs Rashad Coulter
TALE OF THE TAPE
How the legends compare…
WHEN IS TYSON VS JONES JR?
- Tyson vs Jones Jr takes place on Saturday, November 28.
- Coverage begins at 8pm ET, which is midnight in UK.
- BT Sport Box Office will be showing the fight in the UK.
- You can also watch the pay-per-view event on tysonontriller.com.
- The fight will take place at the Staples Centre in downtown Los Angeles, USA
ALL FRIENDS HERE
It was a very respectful presser with the two legendary boxers.
Both spoke of their admiration for each other.
But you can bet neither will hold anything back once they step in the ring.
GLOVES ARE OFF
And that’s all from Tyson and Jones Jr this evening.
Now for the hard part… waiting for the actual fight!
RAF RIDER
Tyson explains why he chose MMA coach Rafael Cordeiro for the fight.
He says: “I’m so happy to have him, it’s such a winning idea, he’s a winner.
“He’s a great man, I have a great team like family members, it’s a family energy
“We’re ready to go to war.”
MORE TO COME?
Tyson hints this may not be the last time he gets in the ring.
He says: “The last time I was this weight was 17 or 18 years old
“I’m really happy with everything I’ve been doing, it’s down to confidence and self affirmation.
“It’s amazing, I’m just ready to do this. I can’t explain it in words.
“I’m going to go as long as this is working. My legend is going to be that I gave a lot more than I took.”
REAL HITS
Both fighters insist that this will be a full-on battle despite technically being an exhibition.
Tyson says: “You got Mike Tyson and Roy Jones and I’m coming to fight and he’s coming to fight and that’s all you need to know.”
Jones Jr adds: “The last guy who did an exhibition with Mike got dropped in the first round.
“This is an exhibition? C’mon!”
RESPECT
Jones Jr has some kind words for Tyson’s epic recovery.
He explains: “I think he looks awesome, I was very proud to see him bounce back the way he did.
“To see him hit the pads and bodybag the way he’s doing it’s phenomenal, it’s crazy.
“But we’re freaks, we’re two of the most explosives guys to be in a boxing ring.
“I’m so fast people think I’m speeding this up. Two legends like that, how can you not get right?”
MEMORIES
Reflecting on his last time in a boxing ring, Tyson says: “I was happy to leave the ring.
“I was dreading being it at the time, I was fighting for financial purposes.
“I was on drugs at the time, I was a whole different person back then.
“I’m ready to do this and I’m feeling great.”
‘CAN’T SAY NO’
Jones Jr admits he could not turn down the opportunity to fight Iron Mike.
He says: “Everyone is faced with adversity right now, so you want to be a person who gives them something to look forward to.
“When you get the biggest adversity to ever knock on your door, to ring your phone, how can you say no?”
IRON FIST
Asked why he’s come back to the ring, Tyson explains:
“I feel magnificent. I’ve been training, someone gave me a proposition to fight.
“It went from Shannon Briggs to someone else and now I’m fighting Roy.”
MAIN EVENT
Up next is the one you’ve been waiting for…
Tyson vs Jones Jr!
LA JAKERS
Paul already wound up here, exclaiming: “You’re dumb Nate.
“You’re the one talking s**t on Instagram.
“Shut up, you know you’re boring and you know you suck.
“You sure as hell don’t know how to box. I’ll bounce your head off the canvas.”
VIDEO NASTY
Robinson already digging out Paul and his brother Logan.
He says: “You see his brother on the Disney channel
“I follow Jake’s YouTube, how can you not, he’s already interrupting the interview already, very disrespectful.
“It’s going to be fun seeing him. You and your brother only fight YouTubers, you’re going to fight a real athlete, I’ll beat your a**.”
BOXING CLEVER
Paul a bit late tuning in, saying he’s at the hospital for a check-up.
Trying to brush it off, he jokes: “My team was afraid I was turning into Iron Man
“I punched a hole in a car.”
PAUL THE OTHER ONE
Jake Paul and Nate Robinson up next here.
LAST WORD
McKernan ends with one last parting shot at Jack.
He sniped: “Jack’s on a downward trajectory in his career, I’m going up.”
JACK OF ALL TRADES
Jack is unflustered by McKernan’s promise.
He responds: “My team is telling me he’s been talking crazy so who’s overlooking who?
“I’ve fought eight world champs back to back, he’s a club level fighter.
“We gave this guy an opportunity, he don’t deserve to be on this stage.
“Show a little respect. He reminds me of Peter Magnelli, that’s how he talks.”
SOLDIER OF FORTUNE
McKernan believes he is being unfairly written off.
He said: “It’s comical to me. The number one rule should be never underestimate anyone.
“In boxing never look past the fight that’s in front of you.
“You have no idea about their skill set and what they can do.
“Badou Jack has never shared the ring with a man of the calibre like myself.
“‘I’ve been overseas, fought in wars, I’ve looked death in the eyes countless times.
“Staring at him across the ring doesn’t intimidate me, I’m prepped for war and ready for battle.
“Jack is just one of the people standing in my way at the moment.”
BAD COMPANY
Jack on fine form this evening.
He continues: “I’m not used to fighting before a couple of YouTubers, but it is what it is.
“It’s not a typical fight card but I’m not mad. This is for the kids.”
HUMBLE PIE
It sparked a fierce response from McKernan, saying: “I think they’re overlooking me, I’m no threat, an easy pay day.
“That’s something they shouldn’t have done. Picking me for this fight was the wrong decision.
“I’ve been prepping my entire life for this moment and will seize it.”
KICKING OFF
Shots fired already here.
Jack says: “I was not familiar with him and still am not.
“I guess this is the guy they picked and it’s just another day at the office.”
NEXT UP
Here is Badou Jack and Blake McKernan for the next round of questions…
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
