Roy Jones Jr. is the latest boxing legend to voice their support for Mike Tyson.
Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield have backed ‘Iron Mike’ to emerge victorious when he takes on Jake Paul at AT&T Stadium in Texas on November 15.
The former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world will be fighting professionally for the first time since he was stopped by a journeyman in 2005.
At 58 years old, he’s convinced he can roll back the years against a man three decades his junior, and Roy Jones Jr. agrees, despite mass fan concern heading into the controversial fight.
Roy Jones Jr. insists rule change favors Mike Tyson
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has sanctioned Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson as a professional heavyweight bout – but they will fight under a modified ruleset.
Paul and Tyson will wear 14oz gloves instead of the 10oz mitts pros usually wear, which should limit the impact of their punches and reduce the likelihood of a knockout.
The two men will also box over eight, two-minute rounds, as opposed to the traditional three-minute frames typical in boxing bouts.
Jones Jr., who famously fought Tyson in a 2020 exhibition bout, believes that the rule changes favor the older man, who he believes still has plenty left in the tank.
“That’s the real question, how much can Jake survive?” Jones Jr. told talkSPORT. “That’s the real question because Mike has what it takes to get anyone out of there.
“And I’m going to tell you this, when I boxed him four years ago it was only two-minute rounds but surprisingly he didn’t decline, he stayed the same the whole fight.
“And that surprised me. If they are doing two-minute rounds then Mike is not going to tire out, I already know that because I watched him do that.”
Roy Jones Jr. predicts Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson will end in an upset
Jones Jr. has made his official prediction for Paul vs Tyson.
The former four-weight world champion believes Tyson will be able to avoid Paul’s big punches that have knocked out MMA stars Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, and Mike Perry.
Ultimately, he sees Tyson getting the job done with some help from the judges.
Jones Jr. added: “Well, I like Mike, probably by decision. But if he chooses to go out and take him out, I think he can.
“However, I feel like if he feels comfortable, he will just box and enjoy himself because why get in shape to go one round…
“I don’t fear for Mike and how old he is. Mike is still hard to hit and Mike still hits hard as hell.”
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