Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr rules: Fight will have ‘no official winner’ as bizarre regulations set

Exhibition will see the two legendary fighters showcase their skills once more

This weekend’s fight between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr will not have an official winner.

This Saturday signals the highly-anticipated return of Iron Mike, as well as former pound-for-pound superstar Jones Jr, but a number of rules and regulations could leave fans disappointed.

The two will battle it out over eight, two-minute rounds at Staples Center in Los Angeles - home of the Los Angeles Lakers.

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But there could be an element of doubt as to how this exhibition concludes following the California State Athletic Commission clarifying the rules and regulations surrounding the event.

While fans will surely be able to make their own conclusion should one fighter decisively win rounds, should the contest be close, the event will end in mystery after executive director Andy Foster confirmed there will be no “official winner” or any official judges.

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“I want the public to know what this is because I don’t want people to be disappointed,” Foster told MMA Fighting. "As long as they know this is an exhibition, I’m fine for everybody to earn.

"There’s no official judges. That’s a very entertainment centered thing. It’s about entertainment. It’s not about competition.

READ MORE: Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr promise a ‘real fight’ not exhibition when they return to boxing ring

“The unofficial scores are for entertainment only and that’s done by the WBC remotely. Not by the commission cause the commission didn’t credential those judges because of COVID. It’s for entertainment purposes only. There’s no official winner at the end of this.”

Both fighters will be awarded a belt by the WBC after the contest, signalling parity after the exhibition.

And while there will be no official judges, UFC superstar Israel Adesanya will serve as an analyst on the broadcast, alongside commentators Sugar Ray Leonard and Al Bernstein.

Adesanya does not believe Foster and anticipates violence between the two former champions.

“We’re not going to see an exhibition, this will be a fight between two war dogs gunning for each other,” Adesanya said.

“I know fighting, I know boxing, and I’ve studied Tyson and Roy Jones. I know their strengths. I used to watch their highlights before my kickboxing fights just to fire myself up because I was such a fan.

“I can’t wait to be on this call with Sugar Ray Leonard and shoot the shit about fighting and share some of my insights, as well.”

Key Rules

• Eight rounds at two minutes each
• No head gear required
• Both fighters will wear 12 ounce gloves - professional boxing usually sees 10 ounce gloves worn by the fighters
• Both fighters used VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency) ahead of the fight
• Both fighters were required to pass a thorough medical check to be cleared for the bout

Main Card

Heavyweight: Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. (eight rounds, exhibition)

Cruiserweight: Jake Paul vs. Nate Robinson (six rounds)

Light Heavyweight: Badou Jack vs. Blake McKernan (eight rounds)

Cruiserweight: Viddal Riley vs. Rashad Coulter (six rounds)

Preliminaries

Lightweight: Jamaine Ortiz vs. Nahir Albright (eight rounds)

Featherweight: Irvin Gonzalez vs. Edward Vasquez (eight rounds)

Heavyweight: Juiseppe Cusumano vs. Nick Jones (eight rounds)