Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. Scorecard Predictions, Odds and Prop Bets
More than two months after the fight was originally scheduled, two of boxing's biggest legends will return to the ring Saturday in an exhibition match made up of eight two-minute rounds.
Mike Tyson, who posted 50 wins in a career that ended in 2005, faces Roy Jones Jr., who won titles at middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight before retiring with a 66-9 record in 2018.
The pair never met in the ring during their decorated careers, so Saturday's matchup will be one to watch.
Latest Odds (via Bovada)
Favorite: Mike Tyson (-200)
Underdog: Roy Jones Jr. (+160)
Total Rounds: Over 7.5 (+155); Under 7.5 (-190)
Prop Bets
Method of Victory
Mike Tyson via KO, TKO, DQ (-150); Roy Jones Jr. via KO, TKO, DQ (+450)
Mike Tyson via decision/technical decision (+400); Roy Jones Jr. via decision/technical decision (+300)
Draw or technical draw (+1200)
Length of Match
Either fighter to win in the first 60 seconds: Yes (+850); No (-1800)
Which fight will last more rounds: Tyson vs. Jones Jr (-155); Paul vs. Robinson (+125)
More
Mike Tyson mentions Evander Holyfield in post-fight interview: Yes (-175); No (+145)
Prediction
The last victory for Tyson came in 2003, and while Jones may have the advantage when it comes to recent experience, his opponent has been training intensely throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tyson told rapper T.I. on Instagram Live that he's been working out with a combination of cardio, light weights and boxing—enough to "feel like three guys kicked the s--t out of me" (h/t Michael Benson of TalkSport).
In terms of what to expect when the two men hit the ring on Saturday, Iron Mike was blunt in his assessment, telling TMZ Sports that the bout will feature "a lot of pain."
"Hey, I anticipate fighting Roy Jones in his prime," he said. "I'm not thinking about his past and the fights he lost. I anticipate fighting the guy who's the best fighter on the planet in his prime. So that's what I'm going in there and preparing to do."
Even though Tyson has been out of the ring for much longer than Jones, he may have a physical advantage over the 51-year-old, having spent his entire career at heavyweight, while his opponent moved through four divisions in his career.
Perhaps sampling from different weight classes attributed to some of the extra losses Jones tacked on, but you simply can't dispute the total success of Tyson, who won all but six of his victories by knocking out his opponent.
Jones seems ready to take on Tyson while acknowledging the reality of the situation. He told The Joe Rogan Experience podcast he's "ready to die" (h/t TalkSport).
"For me, I don't really give a damn," he said. "I fight for a living. I'll be ready to die for my spot. I ain't tripping at all because I know that death is a probability. That can happen to anybody. And I know it can happen to me even more going in there with somebody as dangerous as Mike Tyson."
It will take both stars some time to get acclimated to being in the ring again, but once they have loosened up, it will be Tyson's fight to lose.
Prediction: Tyson wins with a KO in the fourth round.
