UFC president Dana White has a tradition of giving “The Talk” to fighters far past their prime. It was summed up Michelle Shocked in 1986 – “The secret to a long life is knowing when it’s time to go.” However, boxing legend Mike Tyson is not a UFC fighter, and at 54 he will be holding an exhibition vs. Roy Jones Jr., 51, on September 12 in Carson, California. It will be available for $49.99 on pay-per-view and the social media platform Triller.
White talked about it during a recent press event,
I’m flying out probably [this] week to watch him train, said White. I’m excited for him. He says he’s got that fire, he wants to fight, he wants this, Jones wants it, they’re grown men – I’m 100 percent supportive.
White was asked who he expected to “win.”
I have no clue,” he replied. Ask me that question next week after I go to camp and watch him train. I’ll give you an honest answer.
White’s stance would appear to be contradictory, as the exhibition is perceived by some as a fight, but as California State Athletic Commission Executive Director Andy Foster explained recently to Boxing Scene, the exhibition is an exhibition. Rules include:
•8×3 min rounds;
•12 oz gloves and no headgear;
•Empty arena; and,
•Referee Ray Corona will make sure the exhibition is an exhibition, not a fight.
With his distinctive Georgia twang, Foster told the pair, don’t ya’ll start trying to kill each other.
I wanted to have their assurances that they understand, ‘I don’t care if they spar. I don’t care if they work.’ They are world-class athletes, even still, said Foster. They have a right to earn, and all these types of things. They’re about the same age. We can’t mislead the public as to this is some kind of real fight. They can get into it a little bit, but I don’t want people to get hurt. They know the deal.
It’s an exhibition. They can exhibit their boxing skills, but I don’t want them using their best efforts to hurt each other. They’re going to spar hard, but they shouldn’t be going for a knockout. This isn’t a record-book type of fight. This is not world-championship boxing right now. It’s not what this is. People shouldn’t be getting knocked out. The public can see what kind of shape Roy and Mike are still in.
We wanted to make sure that they both understood that it was a sanctioned exhibition fight. They can move around and make some money. We’re glad to have it. All of our rules are going to be followed. It’s going to look like a boxing match. Exhibitions like this happen sometimes. They can move around and make some money. I told them, ‘you get cut, it’s over.’ We’ll be reasonable. Ray won’t let people get hurt. He understands what an exhibition is. It’s not a fight-fight.
I’m sure there are going to be times where it heats up. Ray’s job is going to be to put the ice back on without having to kill the whole thing. He’s that kind of referee. I feel that he’s going to be good at that, and he’s the right guy for this kind of a fight.
I want to be respectful to everybody. There are even Vegas odds on this thing. It’s not going to be scored. How are there Vegas odds?
h/t Steven Marrocco for MMA Fighting
