The most important topic surrounding his 2020 exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr.—whether he was holding back during the fight—has now been answered by famous boxer Mike Tyson in a long-awaited reveal. Fans and analysts speculated on Tyson’s performance, especially the intensity he brought to the ring, following the highly anticipated fight that paid Tyson and Jones Jr. an incredible $80 million combined. Tyson’s direct answer, following four years of silence, has shocked the boxing community.

One of the most talked-about events in boxing history was the November 2020 exhibition contest between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. Tyson made a spectacular comeback to the ring at the age of 54 after retiring from professional boxing in 2005. The contest was a matchup of boxing superstars much past their prime because Jones Jr., a former world champion in several weight divisions, was also in his 50s at the time.

Fans were excited to watch the two boxing legends square off, even though the bout was advertised as an exhibition. Millions of people watched the event, which was webcast online from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Tyson and Jones Jr. both received enormous payouts; sources put their total profits at $80 million, which is evidence of how popular two of boxing’s top stars are.

Many fans and commentators questioned if Tyson was really going all out against Jones Jr., despite the fact that he appeared to be in excellent shape for the bout. Neither combatant was proclaimed the winner of the eight-round battle, which ended in a split tie. In contrast to his early career self, Tyson, who was renowned for his devastating knockout power in his heyday, seemed more composed and less aggressive. According to some supporters, Tyson was purposefully holding back, either out of consideration for Jones Jr. or out of worries about his advanced age and physical limits.

For years, people wondered if Tyson was holding back or if his age and absence from the sport were just too much to handle. Fans were anxiously anticipating an answer as Tyson’s silence on the subject only served to heighten the rumors.

Mike Tyson finally took up the pressing subject in a recent interview. Tyson was direct in his statement when asked if he had held back during the bout with Roy Jones Jr.: “Yes, I was holding back.” I didn’t wish to cause him harm. I’ve always appreciated him, and he’s a buddy of mine. We were just two elderly men attempting to enjoy ourselves and prove to the world that we were still capable.

The exhibition battle, which many had criticized for lacking intensity, now has a new context because to Tyson’s admission. According to Tyson, the bout was not meant to be a vicious duel between two fighters at the top of their game, despite the fact that it was competitive. Rather, it was a friendly fight between two legendary fighters who wanted to show that they were still capable of battling until the end, albeit not as well as they had in their best fighting days.

Fans now see the fight differently as a result of Tyson’s statement. What some may have viewed as a lackluster performance now appears to be a controlled and courteous display between two of the sport’s greatest players. Tyson’s choice to hold back instead of going all out for a knockout illustrates his friendship with Jones Jr. and his wish to make sure both men survived the fight.

Tyson’s moves during the fight make sense in retrospect. Tyson’s fierce knockout power was well-known throughout his career, and once he was in full assault mode, many of his opponents had little chance of surviving. But at 54, Tyson understood the value of taking it slow and preventing injuries. His choice to hold back might have been motivated as much by his physical limitations as by a desire to honor his opponent.

Following the fight, Tyson was widely praised for his physical condition and his ability to still compete at a high level despite being well past his prime. While the match did not produce a definitive winner, it gave fans a glimpse of the fighter Tyson once was, while also highlighting the passage of time and the inevitability of aging.