Battle of the Ages: Iron Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. Fight to 8 Round Draw
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Los Angeles, CA (November 29th, 2020)– Iron Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. fought to a controversial exhibition eight round draw in the main event of a six bouts card at Staples Center, on Saturday night, November 28, 2020. There were no spectators, only BT Sport pay-per-view cameras as Jones and Tyson fought to the first draw of their careers. Sugar Ray Leonard provided the commentary.
Tyson, 50-6 with 44 knockouts, age 43, Henderson, Nevada, and Jones, 66-9 with 47 knockouts, age 51, Pensacola, Florida, did not appear to be a close bout. Tyson won on punches landed 67-37, though Jones threw more punches at 238 to 193 for Tyson. Tyson landed 57 power shots and 10 jabs, to 37 power shots and nine jabs for Jones, who made it weirdly interesting by holding his way through the eight-round, two minutes rounds affair. Tyson lost 100 pounds to return to condition for this bout, in a manner similar to the late Rocky Marciano’s dropping weight for the Muhammad Ali computer fight in 1969.
This particular version of Tyson, 15 years removed from his last bout, was not a ferocious egotistical one, but rather, a mature and egoless one. Tyson fought carefully and smartly, slipping punches meticulously, setting the pace and the tempo, and not allowing Roy to experiment, tee off or ponder for openings. From the start of this bout, Jones knew he was over his head. Neither man was hurt, however, Tyson did wind up trying to butt with Jones when Jones kept holding him in clinches to avoid serious fighting of any kind. Considering Tyson showed up in magnificent condition, and had legs to move. Jones made a conscious decision to hold rather than fight for the 16 minutes affair, to make it through the night.
Plain and simple, Jones was in survival mode. Jones sought this bout as he was supposed to fight Tyson some years ago, in a bout which never came to pass. This Tyson might not be a threat for Tyson Fury, but Mike did himself proud. He was in it not just for himself, but for the fans and for charity. Mike did the best he could, as did Jones, so both combatants could hold their head high. There were no spectators, so for both Tyson and Jones, the stakes were for personal glory. Tyson, a former undisputed world heavyweight champion, and Jones, a former four divison world champion, were at least in the house providing decent Thanksgiving entertainment. This time, the cameras were there, the fans were not.
Tyson appeared to be an aged slightly smaller version of the late former world heavyweight champion Jack Johnson. Jones, who last fought and won a 10 rounder in 2018, was himself. Both men appeared in remarkable physical condition, well prepared for this challenge.
Result: Iron Mike Tyson Exhibition Draw 8 Roy Jones jr., Heavyweights
Three former world champions provided the unofficial scoring: Chad Dawson 79-73 for ike Tyson. Christy Martin 76-76 a draw. Vinnie Paz (Pazienza) 80-76 for Roy Jones Jr.
Real Combat Media scored the bout 79-72 for Mike Tyson. The World Boxing Council earmarked some of the profits from this boxing cards for down and out fighters in need.
Staples Center Sanctioned Bouts on Undercard
Jake Paul KO 2 Nathaniel Robinson (Pro Debut), Cruiserweights
Paul, 2-0, social media icon, knocks out former NBA basketball player Robinson face first to the canvas out cold with right hand to the head. Frightening knockout. Best bout of card.
Badou Jack Win 8 Blake ‘The Beast’ McKernan, Cruiserweights
Former world super middleweight and light heavyweight champion Badou Jack, 23-3-2, Las Vegas, Nevada, returns and outworks tough McKernan, 13-1, Sacramento, California.
Joe Cusomano KO 6 Gregory Corbin, heavyweights
Cusomano wins vacant World Boxing Council (USNBC) Heavyweight title
Cusomano, 19-3, 17 knockouts, Danville, Virginia, wins World Boxing Council (USNBC) heavyweight title on second try. Fourth consecutive loss for Corbin, 15-4 with one no contest, Dallas, Texas, which probably ends his career.
Edward Vazquez Win Split Decision 8 Irvin Gonzalez, Featherweights
Vazquez wins vacant World Boxing Council (USNBC) Featherweight title
Critical crossroads win for rising 9-0 prospect Vazquez, Fort Worth, Texas.
Jamaine Ortiz KO 7 Sulaiman Segawa, Lightweights
14-0 Massachusetts prospect Ortiz wins vacant World Boxing Council (USNBC) Silver Lightweight title. 13-3-1 Ugandan Segawa was ten counted out by referee Ray Corona.
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