Roy Jones Jr on Mike Tyson bout: "If I die boxing, I die a happy man!"
- Planet Sport writer
- 14 October 2020
The boxing legend spoke on the unique power that ‘Iron’ Mike possesses, and how he would be content if he died in the ring…
Roy Jones Jr. was originally set to take on Mike Tyson in an eight-round exhibition fight back on September 12 only for it to be postponed to November 28.
The fight was rearranged for a number of reasons. Firstly, the date falls on Thanksgiving Weekend. And secondly, it was rumoured six weeks was not enough time for Tyson to prepare for the eight-round exhibition bout.
Fans have witnessed both legends in camp with Tyson and Jones both posting training footage on their social media accounts.
Tyson, 54, and Jones, 51, have also received criticism for agreeing to stage the fight given their age is 105 combined.
Both men could seriously damage each other if given the chance to land a powerful blow, something Jones has admitted he is aware of with Tyson offering a different proposition to any other former heavyweight he could face.
"You get hit by someone like Mike Tyson anything can happen to you, Jones is quoted by The Sun. 'Mike Tyson is not just an ordinary puncher. He's one of those guys that can do just that to you.
"So, you should know what you're going into and you should be ready for that because this is Mike. For me, I don't really give a damn, I fight for a living."
He continued: "I ain't trippin' at all because I know death is a possibility. Yeah, that can happen to anybody. I know it can happen to me even more going in there with somebody as dangerous as Mike Tyson."
"Problem with me is, why I love and why I do what I do, because I love boxing. So, if I gotta die boxing, I die a happy man.
"There's probably one or two other ways I'd like to go - but if I went that way, I'm not mad at that. I knew that when I started boxing, I know that people get hurt in this, some people don't make it out alive.
"So, if that's how you've got to go, you've got to know that. But if you're not that game and not that committed to what you're doing, then you shouldn't be talking to me about boxing. Because that's what boxing is."
The fact that this bout is an exhibition should give the fight fans some hope that it proves to be just a light sparring session sold getting to see two greats step into the ring for last time.
The fight is due to take place at the Dignity Health Sports Park in California. It is unlikely that fans will be allowed to attend the event, with organisers instead hoping to earn profits through people buying the fight on social media app Trilla.
The pay-per-view event is priced at $49.99 in the United States, with Tyson promising to donate half of his purse to charity.
