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    Tyson-Jones exhibition too late to be a blockbuster, say Pinoy boxers, official

    Tyson-Jones match more of 'entertainment event' than competition, says Pinoy boxers, official
    Jul 24, 2020
    PHOTO: Jerome AscaƱo

    IT would have been a blockbuster fight had it been made during their primes.

    But legendary fighters Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr facing in an eight-round exhibition match will purely be for entertainment and some money on the side especially in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Former two-time world title holder Gerry Peñalosa and champion trainer Joven Jimenez, along with Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) secretary-general Ed Picson all agreed that it won’t be a competitive fight between the two former heavyweight champions, who are booked to face each other in the ring on Sept. 12 at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

    “Baka parang light sparring lang ang gagawin nila. Hindi talaga tunay na bakbakan,” said Jimenez, trainer of reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas.

    “It’s obviously an entertainment event,” Picson added.

    "Yes, entertainment na lang," Jimenez seconded.

    In addition to that, the itch to be in the ring again could have prompted the two boxing greats to give the sports another try, never mind if both of them are into their 50s.

    “Baka na-miss lang nila yung boxing,” said Penalosa, the former World Boxing Council (WBC) super-flyweight and World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion.

    “Gusto lang siguro nila ipakita na kaya pa nila despite may edad na sila.”

    On Friday (Manila time), Tyson, 54, announced his ring comeback by facing the 51-year-old Jones in an exhibition match, ending months of speculations about a return to boxing after initially posting a video of him in training by doing some mitts and work on the heavy bag.

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    In a way, Penalosa was right as Tyson would explain in an appearance on ESPN’s First Take that he’s out to prove he can still fight even at his advance age.

    “It’s because I can do it. And I believe other people believe they can do it, too,” said the youngest man ever to win the heavyweight title at the age of 20.

    “Just because we are 54, it doesn’t mean that we have to start a new career and our lives are totally over. Not when you feel as beautiful as I do, and I’m sure that other people feel the same way.”

    ‘Iron Mike’ retired in 2005 after being knocked out by journeyman Kevin McBride, while Jones, who became the first former middleweight champion to win a heavyweight crown in more than a century in 2003, fought as recent as 2018 when he scored a unanimous decision against Scott Sigmon.

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      Billed as ‘Frontline Battle,’ the event will also feature other fights, including one pitting former NBA slam dunk champion Nate Robinson against YouTube star Jake Paul.

      The exhibition will be available on pay-per-view and sanctioned by the California State Athletic Commission.

      There will be no head gear for both fighters, who are possibly going to use 12-ounce gloves.

      If there’s one good side that can be taken from the event, it features two Hall of Fame fighters regarded as among the greatest in the history of the sweet science.

      “Parang nakaka-excite din dahil karamihan sa mga boxers ngayon idol sila nung panahon nila,” said recently turned pro and Olympic bound Eumir Marcial.

      Added Penalosa, “maganda rin naman kasi parehong may pangalan sa boksing, lalo na si Tyson. Brawler pa rin kaya siya?”

      But Marcial, Picson, Jimenez, and Penalosa hope no one will get seriously hurt between the two even if the bout is a mere exhibition.

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      Likewise, they wish no one gets positive of COVID-19 especially at their age which is more susceptible to the virus.

      “Physically fit naman sila, pero ingat pa rin dapat,” said Jimenez.

      While there may be interest in the showdown, Picson seems not concerned at all.

      “I guess some people might want to watch it. (But) I’m not sure I would,” said the ABAP official.

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      PHOTO: Jerome AscaƱo
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