While his traditional terrifying pre-fight stare and ferocious power were missing, Iron' Mike Tyson dominated every aspect of his exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr.
Unofficially a panel of judges assigned by the WBC declared the bout a draw, but the reality is Tyson was the better man in the battle of two of boxing's greatest to ever lace gloves.
Under modified rules including eight two-minute rounds and the more padded 12-ounce gloves, Tyson showed glimpses of the knockout machine once dubbed 'The Baddest Man on the Planet'.
The 54-year-old ducked and weaved his way past Jones's trademark jab, peppering the 51-year-old with vicious body shots and short left hooks.
Jones appeared fatigued as early as the fourth round, while Tyson's conditioning held up superbly through the entire 16-minute exhibition bout - a testament to how much work the American has put in - losing 100 pounds in less than a year.
But in traditional boxing fashion - and to leave the carrot of a rematch - the fight was declared a draw.
The previously combative Tyson was delighted with his performance and happy with the result.
"I’m good with that," Tyson said post-fight.
Yeah (I thought I won) but I’m good with a draw.
"Because I entertained the crowd. The crowd was happy with it."
Tyson said he will be back and wants to continue to fight for charity beyond 2020.
