Tyson vs Jones result will spark serious debates!
Now that the dust is starting to clear, you have to wonder if in some backroom somewhere Mike Tyson had to plead his case to CSAC Executive Director Andy Foster the way Sylvester Stallone did to James J. Binns in Rocky Balboa. The difference being that this is real life and things could have gone horribly wrong, really fast.
With a combined age of 105, these two super warriors, Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr., paved a new path. But is it truly one that any of their peers should ever follow? Back in 1994, George Foreman went into the record books becoming the oldest heavyweight champion at 45 years old. He then went on to defend it three times before walking away for good after losing to Shannon Briggs. At that point, the once-deadly puncher was just shy of 49 years old.
Tyson is 54 and Jones Jr. is 51. Are they the same fighters as they were losing to Kevin McBride and beating Scott Sigmon, respectively? No, not at all. But as they say, “time is undefeated, it takes everyone out”. Foreman knew it, as has every other fighter. Sure, every athlete feels they have “one more big moment in them”; call it ego. And for the record, that is not a bad thing. It is what makes successful people successful.
It was thought that, between the duo, Jones would be the better conditioned fighter. He is slightly younger and retired just two years ago in 2018. However, that was not the case. He was breathing heavy by the end of round 2 and he was in survival mode just as early. Although the fight did have the occasional flash back to both of their glory days, the match was, above all else, sloppy.
RELATED: Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr Ends in a Draw!
THE KEY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPORTS AND COMBAT SPORTS
Tyson says the whole idea got sparked when he saw Jerry Rice no longer being used. But outside of an occasional cheap shot from a defensive back, receivers just are not clocked in the face. It is why baseball, hockey, and basketball can all have “old timers” type games. In those sports, there is no concern of CTE, or worse. Now, him donating all of his money from this venture is endearing. It is sort of his ultimate mea culpa becoming an ambassador almost on, dare it be said, a Muhammad Ali type of level.
Would it be interesting to see how a third Tyson – Holyfield fight would go? Maybe; and not shockingly, they are talking about it now. Then, what of even another Antonio Tarver – Bernard Hopkins fight? At least those two are still in incredible shape. Lennox Lewis has said he still has unfinished business with Shannon Briggs he would like to deal with. Furthermore, Oscar de la Hoya has said he is coming back and put it out there he wants to possibly go after Gennady Golovkin. That opens up a whole new can of worms.
COULD “OLD TIMERS” HANG WITH PRESENT DAY FIGHTERS?
The simple answer is no. Take heavyweights for example. Statistically speaking, the worst of the ranked big dogs is Derrick Chisora, with a record of 32-10. Despite running out of gas against Oleksandr Usyk in his last fight, he would most likely put a hole through a fighter looking for a comeback, especially one middle-aged that has not fought in years. The same would be the case for most unranked fighters as well. Fighting is a young man’s game.
Could a Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Oscar de la Hoya or the like pick off a fighter? Sure, like Balboa told Tommy Gunn, “you got two arms and a heartbeat, you got a shot”. For as much heat as Terence Crawford gets for his choices, he tweeted out one of the few points that makes sense:
“Lets all be real for a moment. Tyson can not f**k with them big boys out there so stop trying to get that man hurt. I wouldn’t wanna see my guy go back out there, it’s over with.”
While no one wants to ever tell someone when to walk away from the thing they know and love best, it is said for the greater good. Forget the guilt in allowing an Ivan Drago – Apollo Creed situation to really happen; this is real life, the law suits would not stop.
There is a reason CSAC allowed it as an “exhibition”, toyed with the rules, and had 3 WBC judges not even sitting there to score the fight. Boxing was, is, and always will be “the sweet science”. Sure, it has some flaws and black eyes, and they will absolutely continue to fumble decisions. However, this is one they can steer clear of. Ultimately though, will be left up to you, the paying public if something like this ever happens again.
By: Jack Cyclone
