Behind the smoke screen, nostalgia, curiosity and a convincing comeback: Mike Tyson made his return to the ring at 54, despite a draw conceded against Roy Jones Jr, 51, at a party on Saturday until then saved by Snoop Dogg.

Expected with a mixture of excitement and excitement by lovers of the noble art, the exhibition between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr did not disappoint.

If no winner was chosen at the end of the eight rounds of two minutes - a duration which proved to be very reasonable, with all due respect to the original recriminations of the protagonists - the two boxers showed on Saturday that they still had some in gloves.

At the time of the decision's announcement, Tyson appeared to be much cooler than Jones Jr., still sweating and worn out from the "ravaging body hits," he said.

"You took it well, because I sent it to you. I respect that," replied "Iron Mike", who thought he had won, but was happy with the result.

"The draw suits me!", He assured, urging him to "put it back".

Dressed in flowing black shorts as in his heyday, Tyson was as expected the most aggressive, starting each round with a bang and advancing incessantly towards Jones Jr, more mobile, who was able to respond backwards with the tips of his gloves to Lakers colors, flocked with numbers 8 and 24 in tribute to Kobe Bryant, who died at the end of January in a helicopter crash.

"Real fight"

Enough to inspire yet another punchline to Snoop Dogg, who had just performed a medley of his greatest hits, curls of cannabis cigarettes as a bonus.

"Looks like two of my uncles fighting for the barbecue!" Exclaimed the rapper, winner by KO in the comments against the consultant Sugar Ray Leonard, hardly inspired.


Despite the "exhibition" framework set by the California Athletic Commission (CSAC) to preserve their physical integrity, the two boxers, prepared for several months and subjected to anti-doping tests, have, as promised, delivered a "real fight".

Evidenced by this jab sent full face by Jones Jr in the 2nd round, the two big left-right hooks of Tyson to the body and the temple in the 5th, these blows also which he released after the gong of the 3rd, apologizing immediately by "tenderly" taking the head of his victim on his shoulder.

Neither lacked panache, and Tyson can be proud of his pathetic exit from 2005, when he lost his last professional fight to Irish stranger Kevin McBride.

"I'm really happy with those eight covers and even more to have kept a distance. I was afraid of hurting myself. Why doesn't anyone care about that for me? I haven't done this for fifteen years," he said.

Soon a fight in the south of France?

At the end of his successful comeback against Roy Jones Jr, punctuated by a draw, Mike Tyson said his desire to continue boxing next year, evoking the possibility of a fight in the South of France.

"My body is splendid, I will make it fight a little more. I want to continue on this momentum. Maybe we will do something in the south of France - Monaco or Saint-Tropez - with a European fighter", Tyson said after the one he delivered to Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Many are speculating on the identity of his potential next opponent.

If it could be the former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, who beat him twice (1996 and 1997), the last of which was at the cost of ear bites that have been remembered and caused the disqualification. Tyson's name, Lennox Lewis is another possibility.

Behind closed doors requires in these times of galloping pandemic, there were no raging fans in the stands of the Staples Center in Los Angeles, no electricity that usually spices up the big nights.

"We don't play boxing"

So much so that it began in a certain embarrassment, in a very dark high-tech decorum, aimed at better highlighting the white ring, on which a sports betting site was displayed as sponsors, another serving cannabis directory (legalized in California).

Was it wanted?

It is Mario Lopez, actor known for having played in the sitcom "Saved by the Bell", who animated the evening, which began with three other fights.

The most anticipated by those who made him an internet star, opposed the Youtubeur to 20 million subscribers Jake Paul to former NBA basketball player Nate Robinson.

And they were certainly not disappointed, since the first inflicted a severe knockout on the second, after a boxing parody.

"Slow down nephew! He's on basketball sneakers!" Snoop Dogg said at first, seeing Robinson's eagerness to pounce on his opponent.

“Ooh Lord! Call the ambulance!” He yelled, laughing after falling face down on the ground.

Motionless for a few moments, the former three-time winner of the All-Star Game dunk contest even worried Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry, tweeting "Get over it Nate ...... come on man".

This sport is not a joke.

Even Snoop Dogg, in whom humor does not prevent common sense, agreed: "We play basketball, we do not play boxing".