'We're not women': Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr slam fight farce
Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr’s anticipated exhibition bout is fast approaching, but the boxing legends have hit out at the rules.
The boxing greats, now into their 50s and well past their primes, will return to the ring at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles as the main event on November 28 for the charity bout.
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On their resumes, Tyson, the first heavyweight to hold the WBA, WBC and IBF titles, and Jones Jr., who simultaneously held a record seven belts, would be a mouthwatering spectacle.
But 54-year-old Tyson, once known as "the baddest man on the planet", has not fought since a loss to Kevin McBride in 2005 while 51-yer-old Jones Jr.'s last fight came in 2018.
However, both fighters were dismayed at the rules in which their return to the ring would be under.
Both men are being made to box under women's rules with two-minute rounds for the eight-round fight.
Jones Jr was fuming claiming he was one of the best boxers to ever step foot in the ring and wanted three-minute rounds.
"I'm not happy at all, that's for women,"Jones Jr said.
"We're not women, we are two of the best to ever do it so why we got to do two-minute rounds?"
Tyson agreed, but was also happy to just be jumping back in the ring.
"I'm sure they have their reasons for doing it. But you know, women fight for two minutes," Tyson added.
Boxer Katie Taylor has been pushing for women to fight for three-minute rounds, the same as men, to make it equal.
Both Tyson and Jones Jr ready for war
Regardless of the controversy, both boxers, as well versed in the art of promotion as the sweet science, did their best to drum up interest in the pay-per-view event, making it clear they are preparing to fight not spar.
"Listen, I don't know what you are talking about (it) not a real fight," said Tyson, during a conference call. "You got Mike Tyson and Roy Jones and I'm coming to fight and I hope he's coming to fight and that's all you need to know.
"I'm ready to do this and I'm feeling great. We're ready to go to war."
The exhibition will be dressed up as the real thing with the bout overseen by the California State Athletic Commission and scored by a panel of three champions using the WBC's remote scoring program.
The winner will take ownership of the "Frontline championship belt".
Jones Jr. spent more time praising Tyson than baiting the former champion.
"I am preparing like I prepare for any other fight because I am fighting the great Mike Tyson, how can you not prepare for that," said Jones Jr.
"I would be stupid to not spar when you are going to face the hardest puncher you are probably ever going to face in your life.
"Who goes into the ring with the great legendary Mike Tyson and thinks, alright this is an exhibition."
with AAP
