“I Didn’t Want to Fight”- Roy Jones Jr Opens up on Mike Tyson Super Fight

Former four-division champ, Roy Jones Jr, was happily retired. However, that was only until the offer to fight Mike Tyson came across his desk. He just couldn’t resist the opportunity to fight the man he once wanted to fight so badly.

Roy Jones Jr had a long professional career of 29 years. He retired in 2018 after a farewell bout against Scott Sigmon at cruiserweight. The 51-year old has since been running a gym in Moscow. Despite a prolonged career, the offers to compete didn’t dwindle for Jones Jr after retirement.

“I was done,” Jones told BoxingScene.com on Thursday. “I’ve had bare-knuckle offers. I’ve had all kinds of offers. I was done. I had an offer to go to Saudi Arabia. But when it’s Mike Tyson? A light came on.”

Mike Tyson announced his comeback a few months ago via social media. Since then, the former heavyweight champ has dropped several videos of him thrashing the punching bag. Despite his age, Tyson’s post captivated the audience in a time when live fights were missing. After months of speculation, ‘Iron Mike’ revealed the name of his opponent yesterday.

He will be fighting Jones Jr in an eight-round exhibition fight on Septemeber 12th. While the event has an undercard, the consensus is that it will be more on the lines of entertainment. There are also musical performances lined-up. Regardless, Jones is serious about the match-up.

“You have two of the biggest names in the history of boxing. It don’t get no better than that,” Jones said. “I didn’t want to fight but if there’s one person I would fight it’s Mike Tyson. I wouldn’t come out of retirement and waste my time with nobody else because I don’t got to show nobody anything,” he added.

Roy Jones Jr says he doesn’t care about the money involved in Mike Tyson fight

One would argue that there would be a definitive financial upside for Roy Jones Jr to fight one of the most recognizable names in boxing history. However, the former champ isn’t bothered by the financial aspect surrounding the fight. He is just looking to get in the ring with Tyson. Everything else is secondary for him.

“I don’t know what I’m getting for the fight yet but I know I’m not turning down a fight with Mike Tyson,” Jones said. “I don’t care what I get. It’s me and Mike Tyson. That’s good enough for me. It all depends on how many people buy it.”

The fight between Jones Jr and Tyson will take place without headgear. Also, the two fighters will wear 12-ounces gloves rather than the standard 10-ounce gloves. Both these factors have led the fans to wonder if the fight would be closer to what these two would have had in their primes. However, Jones has cleared it up that both of them will be going for the kill.

Source | Boxing Scene