This past weekend saw Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. return to the ring for a heavyweight exhibition at Staples Center to raise money for multiple charities. Tyson and Jones Jr. were part of a co-main event that also featured YouTube star Jake Paul and former NBA player Nate Robison.
Their fight ended with Paul knocking out Robinson in the second round. It was Paul’s second professional fight, and the pro boxing debut for Robinson. It appeared to be somewhat of a mismatch given the height difference between the two.
The result set social media ablaze and even prompted Joc Pederson to petition Mario Lopez to arrange for former Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Adrian Gonzalez to fight Paul.
Gonzalez famously incorporated boxing into his offseason training program as a means of improving conditioning and core strength. However, a back injury suffered during the 2017 season forced him to adjust workouts that winter.
Joc Pederson has a boxing match idea. pic.twitter.com/784dBfqXDQ
— Matthew Moreno (@MMoreno1015) November 30, 2020
Gonzalez has resumed boxing since last playing in the Majors, and during his time with the Dodgers would share videos of getting into the ring with Pederson.
Rios takes up boxing
Since trading Gonzalez, the Dodgers didn’t appear to have much of an avid boxer in their organization. However, Edwin Rios revealed he took up the activity with Hall of Famer Barry Larkin while MLB was shut down this year.
“I feel like that’s cardio in itself and that’s where I saw my body transform and cut up a little more. It was great. My conditioning feels great,” Rios said in August. “I was a little skeptical at first, but it’s crazy what boxing does to not just the body but your mind as well.
He first began training with Larkin in 2015 and has credited him for defensive strides. Rios also noted Larkin held an edge in the ring.
“I still got a ways to go,” he said.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our shows, and more!
