The 55-year-old has been rumored to be interested in a boxing comeback

Boxing fans were left in suspense after the highly anticipated fight between Mike Tyson and YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, scheduled for July 20 at ATT&T stadium in Texas, was postponed.

The postponement came after Tyson, the legendary former heavyweight champion, was deemed medically unfit to fight due to an ulcer flare-up he suffered on a recent flight.

Roy Jones Jr. raisis his hand to face Jake Paul

In a surprising turn of events, Roy Jones Jr., who fought Tyson in an unscored exhibition match four years ago, has expressed interest in stepping in as Tyson’s replacement.

Jones Jr., a former multi-division world champion, revealed his willingness to take on Paul in a recent interview with Betway.

“I’m kind of thinking about that. I might try and get into shape in case that happens,” Jones stated.

“Maybe I get myself in shape for that. I never thought about doing it before, but with the situation of the fight, I think that’s a great idea and I’ll be ready and in shape because 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.”

Jones retired from professional boxing six years ago but made a return last September for a one-off fight against former UFC champion Anthony Pettis, where he lost on points.

Jones Jr. comments on comeback rumors

Despite being 55 years old, Jones remains enthusiastic about returning to the ring, particularly against Paul.

The speculation linking Jones to other potential bouts, including with Tommy Fury and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., also made headlines.

Addressing these rumors, Jones remarked, “I haven’t thought about that because me being me, I only think about being the best I can be and have never thought about that. Then I figure it out in the ring. There was obviously the Tommy Fury thing that came up and then the other day somebody asked me whether I would fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in an exhibition, and that’s crazy.”

Jones added, “I would jump on it, but now that this thing has come up, it makes sense to get into shape with Jake Paul, and it would be one of the biggest fights of this decade.”

Tyson, who last fought Jones in the 2020 exhibition match, has already called for the rescheduled fight against Paul to take place between October and December.

In the past, Jones vividly described the power of Tyson’s punches, comparing them to a mule’s kick.

“Mike Tyson is still the strongest puncher that I’ve ever been in the ring with,” Jones told fellow boxing legend Shane Mosley.

“The first time he hit me in the chest, it felt like a mule had kicked me in the chest. And if he hits anybody with a shot like that, they are either going out or down, especially guys who are not used to being hit like that.”

As the boxing world awaits further updates on Tyson’s condition and the potential rescheduling of the fight, Roy Jones Jr.’s readiness to step in adds an exciting twist to the unfolding saga.

Who is Roy Jones Jr.?

Roy Levesta Jones Jr., born on January 16, 1969, in Pensacola, Florida, USA, is widely known as Roy Jones Jr. He is a multifaceted American athlete, having achieved recognition as a boxer, basketball player, rapper, and actor. In his professional boxing career, he has won multiple world titles across different weight classes, including middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight divisions.

Remarkably, Jones is the only boxer in history to start his career in the super welterweight division (154 pounds) and go on to win a heavyweight title.

Jones made a significant impact on boxing history when he won the WBA heavyweight title, becoming the first former middleweight champion in 106 years to claim a heavyweight title. In the 1990s, the Boxing Writers Association of America honored him as the “Fighter of the Decade.”