Four-division world champion and pound-for-pound great Roy Jones Jr. boasts the world record as the longest career of any heavyweight champion and he may be set to extend that résumé following news of the postponement of Jake Paul’s showdown with Mike Tyson.
Paul and Tyson were expected to meet on July 20th at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in a controversial event that would go on each of their professional records, despite a near 30-year age differential. However, an ulcer flare-up has meant that ‘Iron Mike’ has been unable to train properly for the fight and as a result, their encounter has been pushed back to late 2024.
Now, Jones Jr. – who fought Tyson in an exhibition in 2020 before returning to the professional scene to take on former UFC superstar Anthony Pettis last year, has pricked his ears up and reared his head in hopes of another high-profile opportunity to showcase his skills.
Speaking to Betway, the 55-year-old revealed his willingness to take Mike Tyson’s place and help save the event, which features an undisputed super-lightweight title battle on the undercard.
“I’m kind of thinking about that [stepping in for Mike Tyson]. I might try and get into shape in case that happens.
“Maybe I get myself in shape for that because I never thought about doing it before but with the situation of the fight (being postponed between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul) I think that’s a great idea and I’ll be ready and in shape because if the fight doesn’t happen then the ideal guy to substitute in place of Mike Tyson to fight Jake Paul is something I have been thinking about.
“If the fight is out there then yes. I haven’t thought about that [how to beat Paul] because me being me, I only think about is being the best I can be and have never thought about that. Then I figure it out in the ring.
“There was obviously the Tommy Fury thing and then the other day somebody asked me whether I would fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in an exhibition and that’s crazy. I would jump on it but now that this thing has come up, it makes sense to get into shape with Jake Paul and it would be one of the biggest fights of this decade.”
Taylor-Serrano II was the most appealing bout on the card to many boxing fans and that contest is showing no signs of collapsing. Instead, in a surprising move, the two champions are being linked to a meeting in Frankfurt, Germany, although Amanda Serrano has rubbished those suggestions.
As a result, it is expected that their rematch will remain as the co-main event on the delayed Paul-Tyson bill, although there is an alternative option for ‘The Problem Child’ – should Mike Tyson be deemed unfit to return to professional boxing after his health concerns.
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