The average boxing career lasts 16 or 17 years. Over the years, a fighter may switch weight classes, change trainers, change preparation, but ultimately boxing is a young mans game. The grueling training and the brain damage that occurs during fights and sparring seem to bring most boxers to retirement at some point in their 30s. Many fighters have to be coerced by their coaches and loved ones to hang up the gloves, and many come out of retirement to face the harsh reality that the sport has passed them by. Respected legends like Ricky Hatton, Ray Leonard and the great Muhammad Ali have all made fans cringe with regrettable comebacks that resulted in unnecessary punishment for the former champions.
In December of 2020, the 54 year old Mike Tyson took on 51 year old Roy Jones Jr in an eight round exhibition match. Haunted with the memory of the 2018 comeback of former MMA champ Chuck Liddell, many fans and news outlets expressed concern for the two legends fighting in their 50’s. However, the event was a success! Tyson got the better of Jones without subjecting the audience to a sad knockout or over the top violence, all while providing a pretty entertaining bout. Roy looked like he had lost a significant amount of speed and physical capability, but Tyson looked as if he was in spectacular shape. The event was so successful that Tyson created a “Legends Only League”, where aging fighters can throw some leather without having to face a young and dangerous contender. Is there a market for fighters past their prime competing with one another? Perhaps there is a future for these beloved fighters, seeing as legends Evander Holyfield and Oscar De La Hoya have both announced their return to the sport. It’s hard for many fighters to walk away from the sport, hopefully Tyson’s new legends league can provide a safe outlet for the fighters who have spent their lives inspiring us.
About the Author
Oliver Swanson is a combat sports fan, spending most evenings training in the boxing ring at Precision Boxing and MMA, Poughkeepsie’s premiere boxing and martial arts academy. Love boxing? Get started today by calling Precision Boxing and MMA at (845)392-8495 or click HERE!
