MIKE TYSON and Roy Jones Jr fought to a DRAW in what proved a bizarre exhibition bout.
The legendary pair boxed over eight rounds in what ultimately provided more clinching than punching.
Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr fought to a DRAW in what proved a bizarre exhibition boutCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Tyson was fighting for the first time since 2005 Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Tyson, at 54, somewhat rolled back the clock as he boxed with nothing but aggression throughout.
Whereas Jones, 51, looked to try and nick the result on the back foot, avoiding Iron Mike’s heavy-hands at all costs.
The mainly uneventful pay-per-view spectacle had little highlights, meaning the veteran duo avoided any risks to their health.
After the result was announced, Tyson said: “I’m good with a draw, because I entertained the crowd, the crowd was happy with it.”
The celebrated puncher had not fought for 15 years before the opening bell sounded.
And Tyson looked to try and pick off where he started, charging at Jones from the get-go.
But despite the pressure, it went largely to waste as the pair spent most their time clinching.
In the second round, again Jones came out light on his feet, flicking out his jab.
The legendary pair boxed over eight rounds in what ultimately provided more clinching than punchingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Whenever Tyson attempted to get into range and fire, he was grabbedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But whenever Tyson attempted to get into range and fire, he was grabbed.
Iron Mike did try switch to head and body, but it was telegraphed and blocked.
The third round will not live long in the memory as Jones spent the entire two minutes tying his man up, desperately avoiding a trade off.
Tyson came out aggressive in the fourth but again it ended up with them grabbing hold of each other.
Jones did land with his jab but his constant clinching canceled out any credit – so much so that he was warned with disqualification.
The fifth saw both men at least try and swing some punches but nothing clean landed.
Tyson was again pushing the pace and looked to have landed some short body shots on the inside.
Into the sixth and it was a similar story of coming togethers.
Jones’ best offence was his jab Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Tyson did show off some trademark footwork, pivoting off to the side but his hook and uppercut combination missed the target.
In round seven, Jones turned southpaw to try and land with a sharp left hand, but it did not pay off.
Tyson did manage to get Jones into the corner but again found himself smothering his own work.
Into the eighth and final round and both legends appeared to have a bolt in energy.
Tyson came charging out the blocks, again, with Jones making the space to land with his jab, the only punch he looked confident in throwing.
After some grabbing and shoving the bell to end it all sounded.
Despite the lack of action, the iconic former champions came out unscathed and even ready to fight another day.
Tyson attempts an attack on the body Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Tyson said: “I’m used to doing it for three minutes, sometimes like two minutes or three minutes.
“I hope to go further, absolutely, and he can be on the card as well
“I was very happy to be here, despite what everyone says I was happy to go to eight rounds.
“Nobody thought I could go eight rounds, but you’ve got to go the distance, that’s boxing.”
Jones Jr adds: “We’ve got to do this again, everybody loves Mike, I love Mike too but it’s something else taking punches from Mike.
“I’ll go talk to my family, see how they feel about it and if they want to do it again, we’ll do it again.”
Jones responded: “We’ve got to do this again, everybody loves Mike, I love Mike too but it’s something else taking punches from Mike.
“I’ll go talk to my family, see how they feel about it and if they want to do it again, we’ll do it again.”
Mike Tyson says he will have MORE exhibition fightsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
