Mike Tyson’s sensational return to the ring in exhibition fight pushed back to November to make pay-per-view event bigger as ex-heavyweight champion says: ‘This temporary inconvenience will last longer than Roy Jones Jr’
- Mike Tyson’s sensational return to the ring has been postponed to November 28
- Former heavyweight champion was due to fight Roy Jones Jr on September 12
- Pay-per view event has been pushed back to to make 54-year-old’s return bigger
- Tyson took a shot at Jones saying ‘inconvenience will last longer than Roy Jones’
Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson‘s return to the ring has been put back until November 28 — with the heavyweight legend saying ‘this temporary inconvenience will last longer’ than opponent Roy Jones Jr.
Tyson, 54, who became arguably the most feared heavyweight of all time after becoming the youngest ever to win the world title in 1987, was due to take on 51-year-old Jones in an eight-round exhibition in California on September 12.
However, the bout has now been put back until late November after organisers decided to make the pay-per-view event bigger with more fights on the undercard.
Mike Tyson’s sensational return to ring at aged 54 has been pushed back until November 28
Legendary former undisputed heavyweight champion Tyson will be returning to the ring after a 15-year absence.
Tyson said: ‘Changing the date to November 28th will give more people the opportunity to see the biggest comeback in boxing history.
‘This temporary inconvenience will last longer than Roy Jones Jr. He better be ready, I’m coming full force.’
Jones last fought in 2018 while Tyson’s last professional fight was a defeat by Kevin McBride 15 years ago.
The exhibition match vs Roy Jones Jr, 51, has been pushed back to make the event bigger
Andy Foster, the head of the California State Athletic Commission, previously said that he expects the clash between Jones, 51, and Tyson, 54, to be a sparring session.
However, Jones stressed that he will have to defend himself as if he was in a real fight.
‘It’s a sparring session, but you have to remember, I’m the small guy here,’ Jones told Yahoo Sports.
‘Andy Foster can’t control Mike once Mike gets in the ring. I’ve got to defend myself like I’m in a real fight. If Mike goes out there and decides to start hammering, what am I supposed to do, look at Andy?
Tyson’s (R) last fight was a defeat by Kevin McBride (L) in Washington 15 years ago
‘Hell no! I’ve got to defend myself and get back in it. I have heard what Andy Foster said, but I also know what Mike said and I can’t depend upon Andy Foster when I am in the ring with Mike. You hear me? I have to get myself ready for whatever Mike may bring. I have to be ready for war.’
Jones believes that the fight, which is being shown on pay-per-view, will prove popular with fans.
He said: ‘People are going to be sitting at home with nothing on TV and nothing to do, and they hear Mike and Roy are fighting, what do you think they’re going to do?
News of the return has been received variably throughout the boxing world, with Eddie Hearn predicting an ‘absolute disaster’ while Floyd Mayweather and David Haye expecting a genuine showdown in the exhibition bout.