Mike Tyson's first boxing bout in more than 15 years ended in an unofficial draw on Saturday night after the former undisputed world heavyweight champion engaged in eight entertaining rounds with Roy Jones Jr.
Tyson, 54, and 51-year-old Jones Jr went toe-to-toe in a WBC-sanctioned exhibition fight in Los Angeles and while neither man will threaten any of the world's reigning title holders, the clash lived up to its promise.
California State Athletic Commission officials required two-minute rounds instead of the usual three-minute rounds, mandated larger than normal 12-ounce gloves, said neither fighter could seek a knockout and declared there could be no official winner in safety moves for the over-50 fighters.
Tyson, who at the height of his powers was the biggest star in boxing for a decade across the 1980s and 90s, started very much the aggressor, using his trademark stalking style to close down space and land on former four-weight world champion Jones Jr.
The fight maintained a good pace throughout but even as Jones managed to find some openings, most onlookers would agree that Tyson did more than enough to claim the win on the judges' scorecards.
In the end, though, one judge scored the bout 79-73 to Tyson, another had it 80-76 to Jones Jr, and the third saw it 76-76 to deliver the draw.
"I'm happy with a draw. I thought I won but I'm happy because we entertained the fans," said Tyson, who holds a professional record of 50-6 with 44 knockouts. "I'm used to doing it for three minutes. I'm just happy I got this under my belt and I'm going to continue to do more.
"Absolutely I would do this again. I'm just happy I could go eight rounds. Knockouts mean nothing, you have to be able to go the distance."
Jones Jr – in his prime boxing's pound-for-pound king and one of the most skilful fighters the world has ever seen – said he would now take some time to contemplate his future. The American (66-9, 47 KOs) previously fought in February 2018 and won his past four official bouts, although not against any opponents of note.
"It's hard. I took some hard punches from Mike. I need to talk to my family, see what they think," he said. "Thank you to everybody who sent us out the right way. If everything goes the right way and my family say it's alright, who knows."
