Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Come Out of Retirement For Exhibition Match

The match is set for September 12 in Carson, California.

In the past few months, video clips of former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in the ring have surfaced on social media. It turns out, we’ll see him in the ring in the very near future. On Thursday, Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports reported that Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. will hop in the ring for an eight-round exhibition match on September 12.

The match will take place at Dignity Health Sports park in Carson, California.

Andy Foster, executive of the California State Athletic Commission confirmed the date. Tyson and Jones, 54 and 51 respectively, will likely wear 12-ounce gloves, larger than normal.

“This isn’t a situation where they’re going out there to try to take each other’s heads off,” Foster said. “They’re just going to be in there moving around the ring and letting fans see these legends.”

The last time Mike Tyson fought, he lost to Kevin McBride in six rounds. Jones last entered the ring in February 2018, where he beat Scott Sigmon 98-92 in a ten-round unanimous decision. Jones, a two-time Olympic medalist, finished his career after 75 fights, with a 66-9 record. 47 of those wins came by knockout. Tyson hung up the gloves after 20 years, 58 fights, going 50-6 with 44 wins by knockout and two no contests.

According to Foster, there were rumors of former world champion James Toney and UFC champion Tito Ortiz facing off on the undercard, but Ortiz nixed the idea. Toney and Jones fought in 1994. The reigning IBF middleweight champion Jones won the bout in a unanimous decision.