Roy Jones Jr has said ‘I’ll be ready’ to step in as Mike Tyson’s replacement on November 15 if he’s unable to fight against Jake Paul for a second time.
Tyson and Paul were originally set to go toe-to-toe in their controversial fight in July before the former undisputed heavyweight world champion was forced to pull out after an ulcer flare-up onboard a plane.
The health scare led to further criticism of the fight going ahead with Tyson recently turning 58 years old.
November 15 was soon set as the new date for the fight between them both and it’s now just weeks away with both putting the finishing touches to their preparations.
Mike Tyson has not fought professionally since 2005Reuters
There is still some concern on whether the fight will go ahead given what happened in the summer.
Paul has already declared ‘it’s Mike Tyson or no one’ on November 15, dismissing the chance of a back-up option.
However, four-weight world champion Roy Jones Jr has put his name forward as someone who could fill Tyson’s shoes if there is a last-minute withdrawal.
“I’m kind of thinking about that,” he told Betway.
“I might try and get into shape in case that happens.
“I never thought about doing it before, but with the situation of the fight being postponed, I think that’s a great idea and I’ll be ready.
“If the fight doesn’t happen then the ideal guy to substitute in place of Mike Tyson to fight Jake Paul is something I have been thinking about. If the fight is out there then yes.”
When asked how he would beat Paul, Jones Jr pointed to Tommy Fury’s win over Paul as a point of reference.
He replied: “I haven’t thought about that because, me being me, I only thing I think about is being the best I can be, then I figure it out in the ring.
“There was obviously the Tommy Fury thing, and then the other day somebody asked me whether I would fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in an exhibition, and that’s crazy.
Roy Jones Jr is ready to step in for Mike Tyson
PA
“I would jump on it, but now that this thing has come up, it makes sense to get into shape for Jake Paul and it would be one of the biggest fights of this decade.”
The 55-year-old feels Tyson may have the upper hand in the early rounds against Paul, but the younger fighter could spring a surprise if he makes it to the end.
“Mike Tyson can beat anybody he wants to when he feels like it, but he can do that whenever he feels like it because he can do it,” he added.
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“Jake Paul on the other hand needs to make some adjustments and learn to do things he hasn’t done before.
“I think Mike will teach him a lesson and teach him as he goes and teach him about boxing for what he knows because Mike knows all the ins and outs of boxing.
“I think with that being said, Mike could win the fight early and will do that.
“If Jake can hang around long enough to tire Mike out, because he’s a 58-year-old man so that’s possible and if he can tire him out then he has a great chance.”