Matt Striker is appropriately ecstatic about Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr.
There will be a press conference on Thursday promoting the upcoming exhibition boxing match. Following the presser hosted by ESPN's Ariel Helwani, a press conference post-show will be anchored by Striker and Sporting News' Andreas Hale. Striker caught up with Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp ahead of the presser to educate the public on the event's massive crossover appeal.
"I think what this is about is getting excited about the fact that there's so much crossover appeal for this event," Striker told Sapp. "You have your boxing purists, your combat sports purists, but there are also a lot of Internet celebrities and a lot of music. I just think this is an insight into where we are going as fans and how we're going to consume this kind of stuff. We want more of it."
The main card also boasts Internet celebrity Jake Paul vs. three-time NBA slam dunk champion Nate Robinson. Other bouts include Badou Jack vs. Blake McKernan, and Viddal Riley vs. Rashad Coulter.
"This event has international appeal," he continued. "These are two of the more recognizable figures in a great sport. The international appeal, the allure alone is enough to draw. Now take the fact that you have a bunch of new eyes: Jake Paul, Nate Robinson. I grew up in New York. I'm a New York Knicks fan. I watched Nate Robinson SLAM DUNK. You're going to have kids from where I grew up in Queens watching this who may not have necessarily been around when Mike Tyson was dominant or been around to appreciate how Jones' mobility is going to make this fight or break this fight, in my opinion. Even further down the line you have MMA guys coming over. I just think this is good for sports and entertainment in one."
The exhibition boxing match between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. takes place at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California on November 28. The two legends will reportedly compete for the WBC Frontline Battle Belt. The card will be available via FITE TV and through the official TysonOnTriller.com website. Keep up with Fightful for all your fight night coverage.
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