Evander Holyfield wants a third bout with Mike Tyson – for his charity, Unite 4 Our Fight.
Evander Holyfield wants a third bout with Mike Tyson – for his charity, Unite 4 Our Fight.
Holyfield, 57, told BoxingScene.com that he has no interest in an actual fight with his rival. (Sorry, folks.) This meeting apparently would more akin to light sparring for the purpose of entertainment than an earnest exchange of punches to hurt one another.
United 4 Our Fight provides financial assistance to underprivileged children.
“I’ve already done what I wanted to do in my career, and have been the best that I could be. If it wasn’t for charity, I wouldn’t fight Tyson,” Holyfield said. “I don’t look at it as being a winner in this fight. This is a charity event helping our foundations. The thing is knowing what you’re doing it for.
“I’m not afraid of [Tyson] or anything like that, as long as it works for both of us [financially]. I wouldn’t ask for him to do it if he didn’t want to. He’d have to ask me. It’s like being the bully, I already beat him twice.”
Tyson, 53, recently began a strict fitness regimen, which has him feeling better than he has in years. That led to his desire to part in exhibitions for charity.
Holyfield was always known for his fitness, which is one reason he was able to fight competitively until he was 48 years old. And that evidently hasn’t changed after retirement.
“When people see me and my condition today, they still go ‘wow,’” said Holyfield. “I take care of my body. I’m always in shape. I never stop training. I’ve been doing this my whole life, ever since I was 8 years old. I don’t have any bad habits. I lived a clean life.”
Holyfield stunned the boxing world by stopping Tyson in 11 rounds in November 1996. In the rematch the following June Tyson was infamously disqualified for biting off a portion of Holyfield’s ear. Holyfield later forgave Tyson.
So what would an actual fight between the two look like today?
“Everyone knows Mike is very explosive and quick, but I keep my head high and never drop my hands,” Holyfield told BoxingScene.com. “I’m quick too. I can’t wait on him, because if I do, he may hit me.”
But … “I’m pretty much coming back for the foundation and giving back to the kids. I wouldn’t be who I am if I didn’t listen to my mother and do to others as you want them to do to you.”
