Mike Tyson’s trainer, Rafael Cordero, recently said he believes his fighter could compete with the top young heavyweights. And Tyson himself said he would be interested in facing reigning titleholder Anthony Joshua in an exhibition. Could the …
Mike Tyson’s trainer, Rafael Cordero, recently said he believes his fighter could compete with the top young heavyweights. And Tyson himself said he would be interested in facing reigning titleholder Anthony Joshua in an exhibition.
Could the 54-year-old former champion actually compete with the best big men?
In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, courtesy of DAZN, hosts Akin Reyes and Barak Bess discuss whether a man who was knocked out in his most-recent fight 15 years ago could magically transform into a legitimate heavyweight contender.
Here’s what they had to say.
The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.
Mike Tyson’s trainer, Rafael Cordero, recently said he believes his fighter could compete with the top young heavyweights. And Tyson himself said he would be interested in facing reigning titleholder Anthony Joshua in an exhibition. Could the …
Mike Tyson’s trainer, Rafael Cordero, recently said he believes his fighter could compete with the top young heavyweights. And Tyson himself said he would be interested in facing reigning titleholder Anthony Joshua in an exhibition.
Could the 54-year-old former champion actually compete with the best big men?
In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, courtesy of DAZN, hosts Akin Reyes and Barak Bess discuss whether a man who was knocked out in his most-recent fight 15 years ago could magically transform into a legitimate heavyweight contender.
Here’s what they had to say.
The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.
Mike Tyson accidently hit trainer Rafael Cordeiro on the chin during a mitt session.
Train Mike Tyson at your own risk.
“Iron Mike” has posted a number videos of him training ahead of his exhibition with Roy Jones Jr. on Nov. 28. The latest (see below) gives you an idea of how dangerous sharing the ring with him can be. Even at 54.
Tyson was hitting mitts with trainer Rafael Cordeiro when an errant right hand appears to clip Cordeiro, whose head spun halfway around. That’s where the video ends.
The public has marveled at Tyson’s speed and ferocity at his age, although there’s a big difference between training and an actual fight.
Cordeiro, a brave man, learned first hand that Tyson has something left at 50-something.
Mike Tyson accidently hit trainer Rafael Cordeiro on the chin during a mitt session.
Train Mike Tyson at your own risk.
“Iron Mike” has posted a number videos of him training ahead of his exhibition with Roy Jones Jr. on Nov. 28. The latest (see below) gives you an idea of how dangerous sharing the ring with him can be. Even at 54.
Tyson was hitting mitts with trainer Rafael Cordeiro when an errant right hand appears to clip Cordeiro, whose head spun halfway around. That’s where the video ends.
The public has marveled at Tyson’s speed and ferocity at his age, although there’s a big difference between training and an actual fight.
Cordeiro, a brave man, learned first hand that Tyson has something left at 50-something.
Jamal James turned in a splendid performance against Thomas Dulorme on Saturday in Los Angeles.
GOOD
Sometimes a fighter puts it all together. He or she devises a clever game plan and executes it perfectly, allowing him or her to dominate a good opponent and take a significant step up the food chain.
That’s what Jamal James did against Thomas Dulorme on Saturday in Los Angeles.
I’ll stop short of saying that James was brilliant because I’m not sure a victory over Dulorme could demonstrate that but the Minnesotan fought about as well as he possibly could in his unanimous-decision victory.
James (27-1, 12 KOs) did everything well. He kept Dulorme at a safe distance with his long left jab and hard, accurate rights. And when the aggressive Dulorme managed to get closer than an arm’s length, he was met by the same stinging power shots.
Outside, inside, it was all James. Dulorme landed only 15 percent of his punches, according to CompuBox. That means James was as good defensively as he was on offense.
By mid-fight, it was obvious that the frustrated Puerto Rican had no idea how to solve the puzzle that James presented. He never did.
Judge Alejandro Rochin must’ve been watching a different fight but at least he had right man winning. He scored 115-113. The other judges had it 116-112 and 117-111, for James. I had it 118-110, 10 rounds to 2.
Can James hang with the top 147-pounders?
The only criticism I can come up with centers on James’ power, or lack thereof. His knockout percentage suggests he’s a so-so puncher at best and he never hurt Dulmore, at least not significantly. That could work against him if he faces an opponent more dynamic than Dulorme.
That said, James’ obvious ability, his focus and his determination make him a threat to anyone at welterweight. That includes Errol Spence Jr., Terence Crawford and on the down the imposing list. Of course, we’ll see.
BAD
James (left) hit Dulorme anywhere it took to blunt his attack. Sean Michael Ham / TGB Promotions
James earned the WBA “interim” title with his victory over Dulorme, which in theory puts him in position to face the sanctioning body’s champion, Manny Pacquiao.
Sadly for him, it’s not likely to happen.
Pacquiao at this stage of game wants big-name opponents who will drive up pay-per-view numbers, well-known fighters like Keith Thurman and Mikey Garcia, who could be the Filipino icon’s next foe.
James made a strong statement with his victory over Dulorme but he doesn’t have name recognition that would move the needle like several other 147-pounders.
The good news for James is that the division is ridiculously deep, meaning it’s a good bet he’ll take part in a lucrative, high-profile fight sometime in the near future.
Unbeaten young star Vergil Ortiz Jr. is the WBA’s “gold” titleholder, whatever that is. James would be a legitimate opponent for him, although the fact they fight for rival outlets probably precludes that fight from happening.
Other possibilities: Garcia, Thurman, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia, Yordenis Ugas and even Amir Khan.
Bring it on. James, 32 and at the peak of his abilities, is ready.
“Obviously, I would like to get a shot at Manny Pacquiao, he’s got the WBA super title,” James said immediately after the fight Saturday. “But I know he’s such a big name, so it really doesn’t matter. I want any of the big name welterweights, we can really put on a good show.”
WORSE
Is anyone else getting tired of all the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. “news?” Douglas DeFelice / USA TODAY Sports
News item: The Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. exhibition has been pushed back to Nov. 28.
That means that we’ll have another two months of chatter about a meaningless event, aside from the money it is supposed to generate for charity. It’s a sparring session, a workout, nothing more.
We know the names Tyson and Jones because of what they accomplished in the past, the distant past. Those fighters, the ones who dazzled us in different ways when they were in the primes, are gone.
Today, Tyson is 54, Jones 51. They’re reasonably fit and retain some of the muscle memory of their youth but they can’t fight at a high level. Anyone expecting that on Nov. 28 is going to be disappointed.
The “fight” was postponed in part because Tyson and Co. wanted more time to maximize profits. And I presume it will do well in terms of pay-per-view numbers. The curiosity factor is significant.
I wonder whether those who plunk down the $49.99 to see it will have buyer’s remove by the middle of the first round, when it will be obvious that these are geezers, not athletes.
And, of course, it will be worse if the unthinkable happens. If one or both of them gets caught up in the moment and tries to hurt the other, an ostensibly playful event could turn into a disaster.
I have nothing against charitable events. Tyson’s heart seems to be in the right place. I’m just looking forward to it being over with.
Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. is set for Sept. 12. The legends will meet on that date on pay-per-view at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., in what has been billed as an exhibition, with proceeds to go to charity. California officials say …
Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. is set for Sept. 12.
The legends will meet on that date on pay-per-view at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., in what has been billed as an exhibition, with proceeds to go to charity.
California officials say the “fight” will resemble a light sparing session, which many would argue makes sense given the ages of the 50-something principals.
However, once the opening bell rings and the adranline starts flowing, could the action be ratcheted up a notch? Could the geezers suddenly get serious in there?
In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, courtesy of DAZN, hosts Akin Reyes and Barak Bess discuss that topic and more.
The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.
Mike Tyson called his exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. on Sept. 12 “search and destroy.”
Is Mike Tyson taking his exhibition with Roy Jones Jr. more seriously than we realized? Or is he just trying to sell pay-per-view buys?
Tyson and those associated with the “fight” have said that it will be akin to a light sparring session when the share a ring on Sept. 12 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.
However, when he was leaving a training session, he told TMZ Sports that he’s “always looking for [a knockout].”
“This is search and destroy, and I’m looking forward to recapturing my glory,” Tyson said.
And Tyson, 54, didn’t allay concerns when he was asked about George Foreman’s suggestion that someone could get seriously injured.
“[George] wasn’t worried about getting hurt when he went on his tour of coming back and fighting,” Tyson told TMZ. “We’re both professionals. We know how to handle ourselves and whatever happens, happens.”
He went on: “The fighting game is what I’m about and hurting people is what I’m about.”
Meanwhile, Jones, 51, doesn’t seem to be overly concerned.
“If he don’t kill quick, he’s got problems on his hands,” Jones told the website. “If he don’t get it quick, his a– belongs to me.”
Sounds like two guys marketing a product. Or does it?
George Foreman believes that the Sept. 12 exhibition between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. is a “beautiful thing” in spite of the risks.
George Foreman believes the exhibition between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. is a “beautiful thing” even if there is danger in the pair stepping back into the ring.
Tyson has confirmed he will make a comeback Sept. 12 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., taking on four-weight world champion Jones in a pay-per-view contest.
The 54-year-old Tyson, who last fought in 2005, has teased the possibility of a return in recent months, posting videos on social media as he worked out in the gym.
Foreman understands better than most why Tyson and Jones have signed up for the showdown. At age 45, he became the oldest heavyweight champion when he famously stopped Michael Moorer.
“There’s a time when you’ve got to worry about your health, but it’s a beautiful thing that they would even come out [and fight],” Foreman told TMZ Sports. “Perhaps they can name a charity to be the recipient of the funds. I think it’s good to come out, but it’s got to be a fun thing.”
Foreman believes it would have been impossible to change Tyson’s mind once it was made up in spite of the risks.
“Boxing is nothing to play with. I would tell them that it’s really dangerous,” he said. “But when you make up your mind to do something like that, you can’t tell them not to do it. They’re not going to hear that.
“Even me, a big fool like me, back in the day, I only saw what I wanted to see.”
