Mike Tyson 'happy with a draw' after making boxing return against Roy Jones Jr

Former undisputed world champions, both now in their 50s, put on a good show in an exhibition fight in Los Angeles

Mike Tyson enters the ring for his exhibition boxing bout against Roy Jones Jr in Los Angeles. Triller via AP

Mike Tyson throws a punch in the fifth round against Roy Jones Jr. AFP

Mike Tyson (R) throws a punch in the fourth round against Roy Jones Jr. AFP

Roy Jones Jr., left, and Mike Tyson pose for photos after their exhibition boxing bout in Los Angeles. The bout was unofficially ruled a draw by the WBC judges at ringside. Triller via AP

Roy Jones Jr. (L) throws a punch in the second round against Mike Tyson. AFP

Mike Tyson (L) throws a punch in the third round against Roy Jones Jr. AFP

Mike Tyson exits the ring after his split draw against Roy Jones, Jr. Reuters

Mike Tyson shakes hands with Roy Jones, Jr. after their split draw. Reuters

Mike Tyson is interviewed after his split draw against Roy Jones, Jr. Reuters

Mike Tyson fights Roy Jones, Jr. during a heavyweight exhibition boxing bout for the WBC Frontline Belt. Reuters

Mike Tyson and Roy Jones, Jr. exchange punches during a heavyweight exhibition boxing bout for the WBC Frontline Belt. Reuters

Mike Tyson lands a body shot on Roy Jones, Jr. during their heavyweight exhibition boxing bout for the WBC Frontline Belt at the Staples Center. Reuters

Mike Tyson lands a jab on Roy Jones, Jr. during a heavyweight exhibition boxing bout. Reuters

Mike Tyson attempts to block a punch thrown by Roy Jones, Jr. Reuters

Mike Tyson lands a punch on Roy Jones, Jr. during their heavyweight exhibition boxing bout. Reuters

Mike Tyson has a shot blocked by Roy Jones, Jr. during their heavyweight exhibition boxing bout. Reuters

Mike Tyson and Roy Jones, Jr. trade punches during their heavyweight exhibition boxing bout. Reuters

Mike Tyson coners Roy Jones, Jr. during their heavyweight exhibition boxing bout. Reuters

Mike Tyson and Roy Jones, Jr. pose with their belts after a split draw. Reuters

Mike Tyson's first boxing bout in more than 15 years ended in an unofficial draw on Saturday night after the former undisputed world heavyweight champion engaged in eight entertaining rounds with Roy Jones Jr.

Tyson, 54, and 51-year-old Jones Jr went toe-to-toe in a WBC-sanctioned exhibition fight in Los Angeles and while neither man will threaten any of the world's reigning title holders, the clash lived up to its promise.

California State Athletic Commission officials required two-minute rounds instead of the usual three-minute rounds, mandated larger than normal 12-ounce gloves, said neither fighter could seek a knockout and declared there could be no official winner in safety moves for the over-50 fighters.

Tyson, who at the height of his powers was the biggest star in boxing for a decade across the 1980s and 90s, started very much the aggressor, using his trademark stalking style to close down space and land on former four-weight world champion Jones Jr.

The fight maintained a good pace throughout but even as Jones managed to find some openings, most onlookers would agree that Tyson did more than enough to claim the win on the judges' scorecards.

In the end, though, one judge scored the bout 79-73 to Tyson, another had it 80-76 to Jones Jr, and the third saw it 76-76 to deliver the draw.

"I'm happy with a draw. I thought I won but I'm happy because we entertained the fans," said Tyson, who holds a professional record of 50-6 with 44 knockouts. "I'm used to doing it for three minutes. I'm just happy I got this under my belt and I'm going to continue to do more.

"Absolutely I would do this again. I'm just happy I could go eight rounds. Knockouts mean nothing, you have to be able to go the distance."

Jones Jr – in his prime boxing's pound-for-pound king and one of the most skilful fighters the world has ever seen – said he would now take some time to contemplate his future. The American (66-9, 47 KOs) previously fought in February 2018 and won his past four official bouts, although not against any opponents of note.

"It's hard. I took some hard punches from Mike. I need to talk to my family, see what they think," he said. "Thank you to everybody who sent us out the right way. If everything goes the right way and my family say it's alright, who knows."