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Mike Tyson v Roy Jones Jr: What time is the fight, rules, undercard, how to watch, money, prediction, odds

<p>Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr takes place in Los Angeles on Saturday night</p> (Getty Images)

Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr takes place in Los Angeles on Saturday night

(Getty Images)

Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr- two all-time legends of boxing - step back between the ropes for a high-profile exhibition bout tonight.

The retired American duo are set to square off in Los Angeles in a hotly-anticipated - if somewhat bizarre - spectacle that was originally supposed to take place in September, before being delayed.

It has been 15 years since former undisputed world heavyweight champion Tyson, 54, called it quits during a shock defeat by Ireland’s Kevin McBride in 2005.

Meanwhile, 51-year-old Jones - a former four-weight world champion who remains the only boxer ever to win a heavyweight world title after beginning his career at light-middleweight - only ended his 29-year, 75-fight career in 2018, after a farewell victory over Scott Sigmon in his hometown of Pensacola, Florida.

Earlier, on a massive night of boxing on both sides of the Atlantic, Joe Joyce upset defending European, British and Commonwealth champion Daniel Dubois with a tenth round stoppage in London.

Tyson vs Jones Rules

The exact rules for his exhibition bout have caused some confusion.

Both men will wear heavier 12-ounce gloves but no head protection across eight shorter rounds lasting only two minutes each.

There have been suggestions that the exhibition bout - part of Tyson’s new Legends Only League venture - is likely to more resemble sparring than an actual competitive fight, with claims that neither boxer will be permitted to go for the knockout.

However, that has since been disputed by entertainment app company Triller, who are also hosting the event.

<p>Roy Jones Jr retired from boxing in 2018, at the age of 49</p>Getty Images for HBO

Roy Jones Jr retired from boxing in 2018, at the age of 49

Getty Images for HBO

The contest will be refereed by the experienced Ray Corona and is expected to be halted if either Tyson or Jones Jr is cut.

The winner will receive a special ‘Frontline Battle Belt’, specially created by the WBC - who will be scoring the bout - for this occasion.

Tyson vs Jones full fight card

The undercard for this unusual event features former two-weight world champion Badou Jack, while YouTube star Jake Paul returns to the ring for his second pro fight - this time against former NBA guard Nate Robinson.

  • Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr

  • Badou Jack vs Blake McKernan

  • Jamaine Ortiz vs Sulaiman Segawa

  • Irvin Gonzalez vs Edward Vasquez

  • Joe Cusumano vs Nick Jones

  • Jake Paul vs Nate Robinson

  • Viddal Riley vs Rashad Coulter

Tyson vs Jones date and venue

Tyson vs Jones Jr takes place tonight (Saturday, November 28, 2020) at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

How to watch: TV channel, live stream and UK start time

In the UK, Tyson vs Jones Jr is being shown exclusively live on BT Sport Box Office 2 - at a cost of £19.95 - and will follow the British heavyweight showdown between Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce in London.

Coverage will begin at 1am GMT on Sunday morning, with British fight fans looking at a start time of around 4am for the main event.

<p>The event will take place behind closed doors at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California</p>Getty Images

The event will take place behind closed doors at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California

Getty Images

Tyson vs Jones tickets

There are no tickets available for this event, which is being held behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Tyson vs Jones purse

Tyson is reportedly set to make an initial $10million (£7.5m) from the fight and has pledged to donate his entire purse to charity.

Jones Jr is believed to be guaranteed around $3m - but these figures are likely to rise substantially if the event proves to be the pay-per-view success than many anticipate.

Tyson vs Jones prediction

With Tyson having long since retired and suggestions that this will be nothing more than a glorified spar that it was initially unclear would even have a winner, it’s difficult to state a definitive prediction.

‘Iron Mike’ has looked in fearsome condition in training videos posted online and amid reports that opponents’ teeth have gone flying in sparring, while he boasts an obvious size advantage.

<p>Tyson’s boxing career ended with a famous defeat to Kevin McBride</p>Getty Images

Tyson’s boxing career ended with a famous defeat to Kevin McBride

Getty Images

If both men are allowed to properly let their hands go and he quickly gets back into the swing of things, it isn’t too difficult to foresee Tyson forcing a stoppage.

However, Jones Jr has the far more recent in-ring experience and I can see him having the better of an odd spectacle that will leave fans expecting fireworks sorely disappointed and potentially looking for their money back.

Jones Jr to win on points.

Tyson vs Jones betting odds

The confusion over whether or not a winner will be declared appears to have led many bookmakers to stop offering odds for Tyson vs Jones Jr.