Editor's Note: Upon release of the Tyson vs. Jones Jr. rules and regulations, it was confirmed that the fight will be an exhibition with no scoring or winner declared. As a result, oddsmakers have taken this fight off the books across the board.
Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. is a cold and soggy hamburger arriving 30 minutes after you ordered it. Except, instead of a half-hour late, this fight is 20 years past its expiry.
Had this bout been made in 2000, it would have been the biggest fight in boxing history. Instead, we’re left with two 50-year-old former champs squaring off in an empty STAPLES Center on November 28.
But, much like that soggy hamburger, we’re still going to eat it up - especially if it’s slathered in sports betting. These are our Tyson vs. Jones Jr. boxing picks and predictions.
Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr. Betting Picks and Predictions
Tyson vs Jones Jr. Winner Pick
Before we get to any Tyson vs. Jones Jr. betting picks, let me lay down a precursor or perhaps a precaution: this is an exhibition fight with little to no data or reliable reporting to base these bets on. If you so choose to throw some money down on Tyson vs. RJJ, make it minimal.
Now that we have that out of the way, I believe this bout will be decided more by endurance and less on punching power or actual boxing. Tyson rarely ventured past the second round during his professional career and while he’s built himself into a tank for this bout, he’ll likely move like one too. Granted, this matchup will have eight two-minute rounds, instead of six three-minute rounds.
Jones Jr., on the other hand, is arguably the greatest pure athlete to ever step between the ropes. He was able to overcome most opponents just based on his God-given gifts and still looks fantastic. His last professional fight came just two years ago and even though he was roughing up unemployed mall Santas for the backend of his career, he went 12-1 in his final 13 bouts after a three-fight losing skid from 2009 to 2011.
The public attraction of Tyson, his one-punch KO power (which looks just as dangerous as ever with 12-ounce gloves and no headgear), and the shorter round times have Iron Mike as a -200 favorite for this exhibition. However, if RJJ can escape what will undoubtedly be an early onslaught from the “Baddest Man on the Planet”, Tyson will empty the gas tanks and run on fumes for the remainder of the fight.
PREDICTION: Roy Jones Jr. (+170)
Total Rounds: Over/Under 7.5
Given the shorter round times, this bout will move quickly. And if Jones Jr. can avoid those early bombs from Tyson, the fight could creep toward the eight-round limit.
The original date for this event was September 12, which would have given both fighters just six weeks to train. But with fight night moved to November 28 – which Jones Jr. says was a desperation move by Tyson’s camp rather than a marketing decision – both guys should be in solid shape.
That said, Tyson has been undergoing “electrotherapy” on a bad back and if he doesn’t pace himself in the opening rounds, he could punch his way out of this fight. I’m leaning Under 7.5 rounds as I believe this exhibition could end in shenanigans. It also protects against a Tyson KO if Jones gets caught.
PREDICTION: Under 7.5 Rounds (-140)
Will Either Fighter Quit on the Stool?
One of my biggest wins betting boxing was taking Kevin McBride at +650 to beat Tyson back in 2005. It was in no way a vote of confidence in McBride but more a bet on the unpredictability of Tyson, who would fail to answer the bell in the seventh round.
Tyson was frustrated, tired, and even tried to break McBride’s arm before quitting. That was the last time we saw Iron Mike in the ring. While Tyson is in a better place mentally at this point in his life, who knows what will happen when he puts on the gloves again. To use his own quote against him: "Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth."
And perhaps this goes the other way. Jones Jr. has already voiced his complaints about the round time, glove size, and the fact that they’re not using headgear. He’s told the media that this fight format unfairly favors the heavy-handed Tyson. Should he take a pounding, he could bail and point blame at the skewed setup.
PREDICTION: Will Either Fighter Quit on the Stool? Yes (+140)
Jake Paul vs Nate Robinson Winner Pick
If the main event wasn’t already bizarre enough, the undercard gives it a couple dashes of absurd – like a splash of Sriracha to your eye – with YouTube personality Jake Paul taking on former NBA dunk champ Nate Robinson.
Paul is 23 years old and stands 6-foot-1 with a 76-inch reach. He’s had two fights already, winning via first-round knockout in his pro debut back in January. Robinson is 36, stands 5-foot-9, and will likely give about 20 pounds to Paul on fight night.
"Literally...if you're home, and you're a human, bet your house on the first-round knockout,” Paul told TMZ back in August.
Don’t do that. Literally.
Instead, if you can stomach Paul, place a modest wager on him at -170 to win. Or don’t. No one would blame you for ignoring this shitshow.
PREDICTION: Jake Paul -170
- Roy Jones Jr. (+170)
- Under 7.5 Rounds (-140)
- Will Either Fighter Quit on the Stool? Yes (+140)
- Jake Paul -170
Where Can I Bet on Tyson vs Jones Jr. Odds?
Despite being an exhibition bout, most sportsbooks will offer fight odds on Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. since they are such iconic names in the sport. Check out the best sportsbooks available where you live.
