Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. were scrambling for a predictable draw when the ring legends returned to an exhibition bout.
Tyson, who fought 15 years after his last professional appearance, dominated for a long time.
Jones, who didn’t retire until 2018, was content to hold out for the duration and rarely landed a blow at his 54-year-old opponent.
Tyson should have nodded after eight two-minute rounds from the three former world champion judges – but instead the fight was evened out.
Tyson said, “I’m fine with that. I’m fine with a tie because I was entertaining the crowd, the crow was happy with it.
“I’m used to doing it for three minutes, sometimes two or three minutes.
“I absolutely hope to keep going and he can be in the car too
“I was very happy to be here, although everyone says I was happy to do eight laps.”
“Nobody thought I could do eight laps, but you have to go the distance, that’s boxing.”
Tyson took the fight to Jones on the first round, and a small ring played in his hands as he switched from head to body while Jones appeared to hold.
Both men were breathing hard after the opening volley, but Tyson looked fresher and fresher in the second session as he landed his thrust on the head and then trailed it with his right hand.
(Image: BT Sport)
Jones continued to hold on in the third round as he choked Tyson and prevented him from firing his shots. The bout resembled a hugging competition at times, with Tyson being the only one trying to land his shots in session four.
Tyson was the sharper on round five when he landed a nice left counterhook while Jones was breathless as he walked back into his corner.
Round six was instantly memorable as Jones struggled with his fitness, but Tyson landed on the body in the penultimate session.
Tyson landed on the body on the final lap, but Jones held on to hear the bell.
Both men seemed interested in fighting each other or against new opponents.
Jones said, “We have to do this all over again. Everyone loves Mike; I love Mike too, but it’s something else that takes Mike’s punches off the ground.
(Image: Getty Images for Trill)
“I’ll talk to my family, see how they feel, and if they want to do it again, we’ll do it again.”
On the undercard, YouTube star Jake Paul delivered a disgusting knockout against former NBA star Nate Robinson.
Paul fought as a professional for the second time and dropped Robinson with his right hand.
And when he did this for the third time, the former basketball player was left face down on the screen and had to be treated for a long time.
Previously, former two-weight world champion Badou Jack won every round against tough but superior Blake McKernan.
There were also wins for the formidable Jamaine Ortiz, who stopped Sulaiman Segawa, and for Edward Vasquez, who scored a win over Irvin Gonzalez.
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