On a recent Instagram Live, boxing legend Mike Tyson compared UFC and boxing purses.
“A UFC will never be richer than a first fighter," said Tyson. "To make a hundred million dollars, Conor had to fight Floyd! ... if he fights Jon Jones he’s not going to get that. The greatest fighter in the UFC - Jon Jones - gotta fight me to make some super money.”
The 32-year-old Jones tweeted, "I’m listening, Mike Tyson," and then followed up on Instagram.
"I’ll box you in the ring if you promise to give me a real fight in the Octagon afterwards," wrote Jones. "And because I respect you so much, I promise I won’t break anything on you."
Jones respectfully followed that up with the crown emoji.
It's a sad statement about MMA fighter compensation when the arguably UFC G.O.A.T. calls out a 53-year-old boxer, who retired 15 years ago, on a losing streak. There's a reason Canelo Alvarez, 29, isn't calling out Royce Gracie, who is the same age as Tyson.
"Dear 53 year old fighter who hasn't stepped into a ring in two decades, I will only risk losing to an old man if you agree to fight me in a ruleset that you have never trained in the over half century you have been alive. One that I am considered one of the best ever to live and fight while I'm in my physical prime.", Jon Jones, 32.
"Dear 53 year old fighter who hasn't stepped into a ring in two decades, I will only risk losing to an old man if you agree to fight me in a ruleset that you have never trained in the over half century you have been alive. One that I am considered one of the best ever to live and fight while I'm in my physical prime.", Jon Jones, 32.
"Dear 53 year old fighter who hasn't stepped into a ring in two decades, I will only risk losing to an old man if you agree to fight me in a ruleset that you have never trained in the over half century you have been alive. One that I am considered one of the best ever to live and fight while I'm in my physical prime.", Jon Jones, 32.
I think Jones knows he would most likely lose to Tyson in Boxing. Jones’s biggest weakness has always been his boxing, and Tyson has made a career of crushing tall guys who lack power. Tyson might be old but i’m sure he still hits hard as fuck and is still explosive. I think Tyson would be the favorite in that fight, but i think its not a terrible idea for Jones to accept the challenge. Jones would make fuck you money and he does have a shot at winning.
"Dear 53 year old fighter who hasn't stepped into a ring in two decades, I will only risk losing to an old man if you agree to fight me in a ruleset that you have never trained in the over half century you have been alive. One that I am considered one of the best ever to live and fight while I'm in my physical prime.", Jon Jones, 32.
"Dear Jon Jones,
Don King doesn't promote me anymore. I don't need that money.