George Foreman Worried About Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr.'s Health in Comeback

Former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman said he's concerned for the health of Mike Tyson, 54, and Roy Jones Jr., 51, ahead of their exhibition fight Sept. 12 in California.

Foreman told TMZ Sports in an interview released Saturday he's hopeful both fighters take the right precautions once inside the ring.

"There's a time when you gotta worry about your health, but it's a beautiful thing that they would even come out," he said. "Maybe they can even name a charity or something for the recipient of the funds. I think it's good to come out, but it's gotta be a fun thing, but I hope one does not hurt the other."

ESPN's Steve Kim reported Thursday the bout will take place at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The eight-round exhibition is scheduled to air on pay-per-view and the social media video platform Triller, which will also produce a 10-part docuseries leading up to the fight.

Tyson, who'd been teasing a return by posting workout videos in recent months, appeared on ESPN's First Take to discuss his return.

"It's because I can do it. And I believe other people believe they can do it too," he said. "Just because we are 54, it doesn't mean that we have to start a new career and our lives are totally over. Not when you feel as beautiful as I do, and I'm sure that other people feel the same way."

Tyson's last fight was a sixth-round loss to Kevin McBride in June 2005.

Foreman, 71, fought professionally until he was 48 and told TMZ he nearly stepped back in the ring at 55 before his wife talked him out of it:

"I was 55 years old. I was in shape and everything. [My wife] says, 'You're not going to do anything like that.' I said, 'I'm telling you, you can't tell me what to do. I can still—I said don't you believe in me? Look at me, I can still do it!'

"She said, 'George, isn't that the way you want to leave the sport, believing that you can still do it?' I got closure right there, and I walked away, and it was death to a fighter to realize you're never gonna fight anymore."

Jones scored a victory over Scott Sigmon in his most recent bout in February 2018. The four-division world champion started his career 49-1 before a series of losses after he exited his prime.

Foreman provided a word of warning to both fighters ahead of the highly anticipated exhibition, per TMZ.

"I would just tell them it's really dangerous, but when you make up your mind to do something like that, you can't tell them 'don't do it.' They're not gonna hear that," he said. "Even me. Big fool like me, back in the day, I only saw what I wanted to see."

It's unclear whether Tyson and Jones will be going full throttle once the opening bell rings or if it'll be a more toned-down showcase.