With the highly anticipated exhibition between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr inching closer, other boxing greats are reportedly toying with the idea of a return to the ring. Here are five boxing legends stepping back into the fight game years after their retirement.
Mike Tyson
After a 15-year break, Mike Tyson announced his return to the boxing ring following weeks of hype and videos posted to social media of him sparring and getting back in shape. The former undisputed heavyweight champ will compete in an exhibition bout against former four-division champion Roy Jones Jr on November 28.
Roy Jones Jr
Roy Jones Jr, 51, possessed exceptional hand speed, athleticism, movement and reflexes. Nicknamed Captain Hook, he is considered as one of the best boxers of all time, excelling in the five weight divisions he competed in. During his career, Jones held titles in the middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and the heavyweight class.
Oscar De La Hoya
One of sports most celebrated boxers, the Golden Boy shocked the world when he announced his return to the ring earlier this year at the age of 47. The rumors are true, and I’m going to start sparring in the next weeks. It’s a real fight. I miss being in the ring. I love boxing. Boxing is what gave me everything I have today, and I miss it, he told ESPN in August.
Evander Holyfield
Evander The Real Deal Holyfield was a 200-pound bruiser who reigned as the undisputed heavyweight champion during the early 1990s. He remains the only boxer in history to win the undisputed championship in two weight classes, both the heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions. Holyfield is also the only boxer to win the world heavyweight title on four separate occasions, having held the unified WBA, WBC and IBF championships from 1990 to 1992.
Julio Cesar Chavez
El Gran Campeon Mexicano Julio Cesar Chavez made a dramatic comeback in 2019 in an exhibition bout against fellow veteran Jorge Arce. Fourteen years removed from the ring, the Mexican fighter competed in his last professional fight in 2005, losing to Grover Wiley after his corner stopped the bout in the fifth round.
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