Roy Jones Jr. had revealed he offered heavyweight legend Mike Tyson the opportunity to face him when he was still competing as a professional.
Jones only retired in 2018 after a long run into his forties. As he competed around the world, Jones tossed the idea around and formally approached Tyson’s team.
Roy Jones Jr
‘RJJ’ explained that Tyson was disinterested in the sport then and that it wouldn’t have been suitable for them to share the ring.
“I tried when I was boxing to make the fight, but at that time, he said he was done with boxing,” Jones told The Luke Thomas Show on SiriusXM Fight Nation.
“I didn’t want to fight a guy that’s not got boxing in his heart. Because even if I beat him, then I’m not beating the best Mike Tyson. That’s because he said he’s finished with boxing.”
On getting that call from Tyson’s team to reignite the fight, he added: “Roy Jones Jr don’t do nothing except what is asked of him.
“So when they called me, they said four rounds. Then they called me back and said eight rounds. I said Woah. They said, ‘yeah, for us to do it right, it’s got to be eight rounds.
“So I said, ‘alright, that sounds better for me anyway, so let’s go. If they want to do that, you have to play by their rules.”
Mike Tyson
Asked why he eventually stopped boxing in 2018, Jones concluded: “I had nothing else to prove. And I had no reason to keep going.
“I didn’t want to take any more chances. I was healthy and happy even if you feel like there’s something else to prove the risk against the reward just wasn’t there.
“Now, the reward outweighs the risk. I have always wanted to fight Mike Tyson. So if I got the chance to get in the ring with Mike Tyson 20 years later, then, of course, I am going to do it.
“I wanted it way back then, so how could I say no now?”
The clash was initially set to take place on September 12 but has now been pushed back to November 28. This is due to additional bouts and extra preparation time for all involved.
Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather is now on board also, adding his super-promotional power to the deal.
Mayweather fighters Badou Jack and Viddal Riley will star on the undercard.
WBN Editor Phil has over ten years of boxing news experience. Follow WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews and Twitter @worldboxingnews.
