‘He’s gotta go’ – Roy Jones Jr believes Mike Tyson will try to knock him out in exhibition bout and is desperate to win
Mike Tyson will face former four-weight world champion Roy Jones Jr on his return to the ring at the age of 54.
Tyson, who dominated the heavyweight scene for almost 20 years after winning the title in 1987, will take on 51-year-old Jones in an eight-round exhibition in California on September 12.
Tyson announced the bout on Twitter, the first of his Legends Only League venture, with the words "I. AM. BACK."
Jones last fought in 2018 while Tyson's last professional fight was a defeat by Kevin McBride 15 years ago.
The two men allegedly almost fought back in 2003, although a deal worth £33million could not be reached.
Speaking to , Jones confirmed his excitement at facing the former undisputed heavyweight champion.
“I know it’s happening, and I know it’s against the great Mike Tyson, so how can you not be excited?”
“I have to treat it as a real fight because you never know,” Jones said. “I’ll be in there with Mike Tyson. Mike’s too big to be playing with.
“There were a lot of names he could have chosen, but he chose me, so how could I say no? I don’t know a lot of the details yet, but that doesn’t bother me. I just want to fight.”
Although both men will be wearing larger, 12-ounce gloves in the ring, neither man will be wearing head guards in the ring in September.
Despite California State Athletic Commission executive Andy Foster insisting otherwise, the 1988 Olympian is prepared for the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ to come at home with everything.
“I’m going to try and win and know he’ll try to knock me out,” he added. “If I can knock him out, he’s gotta go, but if I can outbox him, I gotta do whatever s*** I can to win.”