A brutally honest Roy Jones Jr has admitted that he has "made a mistake" in agreeing to fight Mike Tyson later this year.
The former pound-for-pound king has been retired for two years compared to Iron Mike's 15 years out of the ring. However the 51-year-old Jones is a far naturally smaller boxer than the ferocious, formerly undisputed heavyweight champ.
Jones is now a trainer and is getting into fighting shape alongside some of his students. "Training these guys like Chris Eubank [Jr], they inspire me to get my mind going," Jones told Sky Sports.
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But regarding his own contest against Tyson, Jones made some startling claims. "When it comes time to fight, we're going to fight. If it comes down to bite, we're going to bite. Whatever has to happen, is going to happen, that's just what it is," he said.
"He's still Mike Tyson, he's still one of the strongest, most explosive people who ever touched a boxing ring. If anything, I made a mistake going in with him. He's the bigger guy, he's the explosive guy.
"He's going to have all the first-round fireworks, not me. I do have first-round fireworks, but he's known for more first-round fireworks than anybody to ever touch boxing, other than maybe George Foreman.
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"With him having the first-round fireworks, he'll be against a guy smaller than him, maybe 40-50 pounds smaller than him."
Jones' reference to "biting" is a clear nod to Tyson's shocking 1997 rematch with Evander Holyfield, when a frustrated Mike bit a chunk out of his opponent's ear and was disqualified in the third round.
We don't know the exact rules for November's Tyson vs Jones eight-round exhibition bout - which will be fought without headgear - but we seriously doubt the California State Athletic Commission will allow either man to chew on one another in the ring.
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Other than that, Jones is correct in his assessment of his opponent. In his prime, Tyson was a devastating early fighter who boasts 22 first-round KOs (out of his 50 wins against six losses).
Whether he still owns the same explosive power Jones speaks of remains to be seen. Tyson has certainly been brutalising the pads in recent training videos - though it could always be that after throwing those nuclear combinations, the 54-year-old needs a long sit down and a cup of warm cocoa.
Not that ourselves - or Roy Jones Jr - will be suggesting that to Iron Mike's face, mind you.
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Imagery: Instagram/PA Images
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