Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr prize money: How much will boxers earn for exhibition fight?

Tyson claims every penny will go to charity, but both fighters will still be handsomely rewarded for the fight

Jack Rathborn
Sunday 29 November 2020 05:40 GMT
Comments
Mike Tyson discusses Floyd Mayweather
Leer en Español

Mike Tyson clashes with Roy Jones Jr at Staples Center this weekend in an exhibition match that sees both men get back in the ring after years of inactivity.

The fight remains clouded in mystery given both fighters agreed to a number of bizarre rules, regulations and stipulations, which could leave fans disappointed, though both men are in tremendous shape for their age (Tyson at 54 and Jones Jr at 51) and determined to put on a show.

While Tyson has long-since admitted his instinct is to fight and that is what drives him beyond money, with any earnings set to be donated to charity, both fighters stand to generate attractive purses for the bout. 

READ MORE: Tyson and Jones draw in exhibition battle of legends

READ MORE: Top 10 pound-for-pound rankings: Canelo Alvarez, Errol Spence, Tyson Fury and more

The buzz surrounding the fight, which will cost Americans $49.99 or £19.95 for anybody in the UK, means both veteran fighters have already proven they can generate considerable revenue.

Jones Jr’s biggest payday is likely to have come against John Ruiz back in 2003, with $10m guaranteed and 60 per cent of the show’s profits, while Tyson in the past has reportedly earned around $30m on several occasions, including his rematch with Evander Holyfield in 1997.

READ MORE: Mike Tyson 'could die' in boxing comeback, claims Dillian Whyte

Here’s everything we know about the prize money presented to the two legendary fighters for this exhibition.

Mike Tyson’s net worth, career earnings and purse for Roy Jones Jr exhibition

Tyson’s twisted relationship with money is well documented, with the former world champion notorious for wasting millions of dollars throughout his career.

His incredible rise and fall saw him earn as much as $685million (£475m), according to Forbes.

But his net worth now is reportedly as low as $3m (£2.2m). Tyson’s taste for the luxuries in life as well as his personal life, which has seen him married three times with eight children, have all contributed to his lavish spending.

In 2003 he filed for bankruptcy, with his debt at the time reportedly around $23m (£17m).

Tyson has reinvented himself since, both as a person and financially, having not fought since 2005. Appearances in movies, such as The Hangover, and his own animated TV series, Mike Tyson Mysteries, have brought in millions.

Tyson now features on the podcast ‘Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson’, but he could not resist scratching the itch with this exhibition against Roy Jones Jr, which is reportedly set to earn him a guaranteed $10m (£7.5m) - though Iron Mike is adamant this figure will be donated to charity.

“It’s going to be for various charities,” he told TMZ Sports. “Nobody has to ever worry about me getting rich, or getting jealous, or saying I’m doing [the comeback] for money. “I’m not getting anything. I just feel good doing this because I can.”

Jones Jr can expect to pocket anything from $1m (£749,000), guaranteed, with an upside of around $3m (£2,248,000).

When and where is it?

The fight is on Saturday, 28 November at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

How can I watch it and will there be a live stream?

The fight will be available live and exclusive on BT Sport Box Office. Coverage begins at 1am GMT on 29 November. BT Sport subscribers can watch the first hour of the coverage for free, before the pay curtain kicks in and fans will be required to pay £19.95 (€29.99 in the Republic of Ireland).

You can watch a live stream by purchasing the fight through the BT Sport Box Office website and watch either on the website link provided or via the BT Sport Box Office app.Fans in the United States can live stream the fight through Fite.tv and TysonOnTriller.com for $49.99, there will also be a 10-part documentary series through Triller in the build-up.

Fans in the United States can live stream the fight through Fite.tv and TysonOnTriller.com for $49.99, there will also be a 10-part documentary series through Triller in the build-up. 

Who is fighting?

Heavyweight (8 rounds) - Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr.

Cruiserweight (6 rounds) - Jake Paul vs Nate Robinson

Light heavyweight (8 rounds) - Badou Jack vs Blake McKernan

Cruiserweight (6 rounds) - Viddal Riley vs Rashad Coulter

Tyson on why he is taking the fight

"It's because I can do it. And I believe other people believe they can do it too," he said.

"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.

"I never took that many punches. After the last fight I had, I left and I lived my life, and I've been through some experiences, and now I'm back here. I feel like I took better care of my body and my state of mind than most of the fighters before me that retired and came back."

Jones Jr on why he is taking the fight

"I've been trying to enjoy retirement, but people don't seem to want to let me retire. They keep calling me, telling me that Mike wants to come back, and that you'd be a great opponent for Mike.

"We always wanted to see it, but I would've preferred it back then. Tyson is a hell of a specimen still. Still a problem to deal with. But at the same time, life is life, you only live once. You want to know what it's like, you go in there and see. You still gotta see it."

Odds

Tyson: 1.62

Jones: 2.28

This weekend get a £10 free bet with Betfair, when you bet £10 on a Same Game Multi on the Premier League. Terms: Min £10 Same Game Multi bet on any EPL match this Fri - Sun. Free bet valid for 72 hours, awarded at bet settlement. Excludes cashed out bets. T&Cs apply.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in