Roy Jones Jr has given a current fighter an accolade not many receive – a comparison to one of the most feared and infamous men to ever lace up in Mike Tyson.
‘Iron’ Mike was undisputed heavyweight champion in his heyday, a subsequent prison stint interfering with his prime years thereafter. When he was firing on all cylinders, fans would be hard pushed to find a more ferocious and determined power puncher.
His legacy in the sport is not only one of title achievement, but worldwide notoriety and a different level of fame. It’s a blueprint many today try and follow, but few, if any, have been able.
Speaking to Sporting Post about the most entertaining current fighters, Jones Jr – himself a former heavyweight champion – looked to the lightweight division and highlighted Gervonta Davis as a modern-day Mike.
“Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson are entertaining but Tank is the most entertaining guy because he has that Mike Tyson level of entertainment, he’s very powerful and anything can happen at any time, inside or outside the ring. Tank is a modern day Mike Tyson.”
‘Tank’ certainly has the power to strike fear into an opponent, with 27 of his 29 wins coming via knockout. His most recent victory – a seventh round body shot stoppage of Ryan Garcia – has propelled his fame to new heights.
Unfortunately for him, another comparison with Tyson is that he recently served jail time, although it was months rather than years and he is now prepping for a ring return.
Jones went on to include welterweight Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and heavyweight Tyson Fury in his list of the most entertaining fighters alongside Davis, Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson.
“Haney and Shakur are both really top level boxers and I like Jaron Ennis, those are my top four right now as far as the entertainment factor goes. You’re getting something when they box and with Jaron you’re going to get that old Roy Jones flavour too. Tyson Fury is another guy that gives you that.”
Davis is expected back out towards the end of the year, perhaps in a rematch with Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz.
As for Jones and Tyson, the two faced off back in 2020 – an exhibition done right in the minds of boxing fans.