E-Paper
54-year-old Mike Tyson making a comeback, to fight on September 12
Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history when he won the title in 1986 at age 20 and for a time was the most feared fighter in boxing. But his career became littered with distractions and he hasn’t boxed since 2005 after losing his second straight fight.
He was once called the ‘baddest man on the planet’. He was the most famous boxer of his time. He broke PPV records. He was controversy’s favourite child. He had one punch knockout power. He is Mike Tyson.
‘Iron’ Mike left the fans of the sport bewildered with his ruthless aggression during fights. He was unstoppable during his early years as dominated the sport in the late 1980s and became the only heavyweight boxer to unify WBA, WBC, and IBF title. Tyson won his first 19 fights with a knockout (12 in the first round). He suffered a dip in the late 90s and early 20s. And finally left the sport in 2005. But is now set to make a comeback.
At the age of 54, Mike Tyson has decided to make a return to the boxing ring.
The former heavyweight champion will meet four-division champion Roy Jones Jr. in an eight-round exhibition match on Sept. 12 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history when he won the title in 1986 at age 20 and for a time was the most feared fighter in boxing. But his career became littered with distractions and he hasn’t boxed since 2005 after losing his second straight fight.
He has occasionally teased a return with workout videos and it’s finally scheduled to happen.
Jones, 51, won titles in the middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight before moving up to win the heavyweight title in 2003, becoming the first former middleweight champion to do so in 106 years.
The event will air on pay-per-view and the social media music platform Triller. Further matches on the card and musical entertainment will be announced in the coming weeks.
(with AP inputs)
