MIKE TYSON has insisted he is looking to knockout Roy Jones Jr next month – even though it’s against the rules.
The two boxing veterans – who have a combined age of 105 – are going head-to-head on September 12.
It is an eight-round exhibition bout that will take place in California.
Both of the fighters have been told not to go for a knockout win – but Tyson has other ideas.
When asked if he will be hunting for a KO, Tyson told TMZ: “If the opportunity comes, I’m always looking for it.”
Before the tanked-up veteran added: “This is search and destroy and I’m looking forward to recapturing my glory.”
Commission executive director Andy Foster has told the pair to “spar hard” but to refrain from hurting each other.
He told Boxing Scene: “We can’t mislead the public as to this is some kind of real fight.
“They can get into it a little bit, but I don’t want people to get hurt. They know the deal.
“It’s an exhibition. They can exhibit their boxing skills, but I don’t want them using their best efforts to hurt each other.
“They’re going to spar hard, but they shouldn’t be going for a knockout.
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“This isn’t a record-book type of fight. this is not world-championship boxing right now.
“People shouldn’t be knocked out. The public can see what kind of shape Roy and Mike are still in.”
Tyson retired from boxing in 2005 with a record of 50-6 including 44 wins via knockout.
His own children have urged him to sit his “old ass down” instead of making his comeback.
Fellow legend George Foreman has also begged the 54-year-old to call off his return.
But the former Baddest Man on the Planet has his eyes on the prize ahead of his next bout.
He added: “We are both professionals.
“We know how to handle ourselves and whatever happens, happens.”
Before he continued: “This fighting game is what I’m about and hurting people is what I’m about.”
Former four-weight champion Jones Jr, 51, has insisted Tyson is still “as dangerous as ever”.
He told ESPN: “Mike is still just as dangerous as ever.
“The only thing about it is, you’ve been out of this sport for so long, it’ll be hard for him to go a full 12-round bout and sustain this.
‘Yet he’s still good, he has his speed, he still has his power, he’s still highly explosive, so he’s still a dangerous guy.
“It’s going to be dangerous for all eight rounds.”
