Tyson-Jones Event; Not a Technical Slam Dunk

Before everyone gets upset, read the article title clearly. My buddy and I, while clearly entertained the entire event between the really good early fights stuffed with live performances, including Snoop smoking a blunt during his song, we were still argumentative whether or not the two main events were technically sound boxing.

If the boxing purist were looking for a big score, they lost. If the boxing promoters and entertainers were the focus, well then a home run.

Let's start with the two preceding fights before the main events. Jamaine Ortiz won by TKO over Sulaiman Segawa in the 7th round, and my personal favorite fight saw Badou Jack defeat Blake McKernan via unanimous decision (80-72, 80-72, 80-72). Jack was technical, calculated, and aggressive. While not scoring a knockdown, he had Kernan on his heels the entire fight. Jack can be a star for the sport, with his grandiose entrances and shiny, gold gloves that compliment his fight game.

Let's talk Jake Paul and Nate Robinson, or what many optimistic fans thought would amount to an entertaining fight. Even Snoop's pre-fight conversation had plenty of anticipation. From the start, I was worried about Robinson's lack of any controlled punching, instead opting for lunges and wild swings. While I was rooting for Nate, the fear of Paul being able to counter on a wide-open chin was a real fear from Round 1.

The picture above is just the end result, it is also about the third time Robinson was floored. Announcers even mentioned that Nate did not learn much defense in his short time preparing for this fight. What is even more troublesome, if he only worked on offense, that did not look great either. Perhaps Robinson will hang up the gloves. The worst part of this outcome is Jake Paul is now calling out professional fighters, which is absurd. Perhaps Connor McGregor can end this charade, and make a million bucks in the process.

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Connor mcGregor and his manager after hearing jake Paul wants to fight him : pic.twitter.com/LNjfT3XZ1x

Now for the main event. I was like a kid in the candy shop, waiting to witness my favorite boxer ever come back at age 54 and destroy someone, one last time. Tyson captivated me in his hay day, I could not wait for boxing events with his name on the card. I loved boxing so much in those days, specifically for him. The whole boxing world dreamed of the day they could witness Tyson fight one last time, rather than watch old footage.

Well...I will say this. Tyson looked fast, he looked strong and he looked focused. Jones Jr clearly had a strategy of tying him up and dodging his big punches. Which led to a lot of this...

I know what many will say, tie-ups happen in every boxing match. I get it, I understand. My real problem is the lack of headshots by Tyson. In fact, he accidentally swung after the bell in one of the early rounds and caught Jones Jr on the head. After a Tyson hug and apology, the cameras focused on Jones Jr in his corner. He was visibly hurt, shaken and his corner worried if he could continue. After that round, I do not remember a single headshot by Tyson which got me remembering the talk building up to this fight. "This is an exhibition" was one of the main mantras in the build-up. In fact, organizers had to clarify that a winner will be declared after reports came out that nobody will be knocked out and any sign of blood would end the match. Sure, it was fun to watch Tyson body shots....

But we are talking Mike Tyson, a predator in the ring. And his opponent clearly not going to be able to inflict much damage. So let's think about the current day Mike Tyson. Nicer, funnier, a socialite of some sorts, and cameos in a few epic movies. I honestly think he was told to stop punching for the head and make sure this match lasted all eight rounds. That would be ok with me if they didn't pump gambling in our faces all night, as if this fight had any gambling merit. Most of the payout opportunities included knockdowns and knockouts. This felt like a crime to the bettors. Worse yet, if you did bet on a winner, you did not rest easy when a draw was announced.

Does this look like a draw to you?!?!?!?

This was not a draw. This was not a serious boxing match. This was an entertaining exhibition of fighters who once captivated the boxing world. I am ok with that, I respect these men and how great they looked for their age. However, shame on promoters for lying to us and stealing people's money. The only slam dunk that took place was on the promoter end, not the viewer. Sure, it was fun to watch, but so is The Office. We wanted old Mike Tyson, and they once again caged him and probably against his will. You know Mike wanted a knockout, and you know the old Mike would be pissed they called this a draw. And you also know most bettors were right in putting money on a Mike knockout, but they never had a chance, did they? They should be refunded, I do not remember a head shot since that late punch. Mike went about five rounds of only throwing body shots. Crazy

With that said....please tell me Connor McGregor will end this Jake Paul thing.