Tag: Tyson Holyfield 3

Riddick Bowe joins list of geezers who want to fight again

Riddick Bowe, 52, said he wants to return to the ring and is targeting Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson.

The list of retired geezers contemplating a comeback of some sort continues to grow.

Now Riddick Bowe, 52, wants in on the action. The former heavyweight champ told The (U.K.) Sun that he likes the idea of fighting again and is targeting old rival Evander Holyfield, 57, and old friend Mike Tyson, 54, both of whom have already announced comeback plans.

Oscar De La Hoya, 47, also said he wants to fight again.

“If the fans want to see me fight again, I’m fighting. I want to make fans happy,” Bowe told The Sun. “Equally, I want to be remembered as one who did everything to truly make boxing great. I want to get out there.

“This is the perfect time, I believe, and I’m very excited to fight again. It’s official. Actually, let me put it this way: I am officially back and want to and will fight. Come on Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield.

“[Tyson and I] went to the same school. We knew each other quite well. We started off fairly close being in the same neighborhood but then went different directions as our boxing developed.

“Of course, we both made it and became the world heavyweight champions. I am very excited I want to fight Mike now. … I will fight him any day of the week, whether it’s an exhibition, or even a pro fight.”

Tyson and Holyfield have made it clear that they intend to take part in charity exhibitions after the coronavirus pandemic subsides. De La Hoya has said he is interested in taking part in a sanctioned fight.

Bowe (43-1, 33 KOs) hasn’t fought since he outpointed journeyman Gene Pukall in 2008 in Germany. He went 2-1 in three fights with Holyfield and never fought Tyson.

Evander Holyfield: Give me Tyson, Bowe, Lewis, not young guys

Evander Holyfield, 57, made it clear that he has no intention of fighting prime young fighters in his return to the ring.

Evander Holyfield, 57, made it clear that he has no intention of fighting prime young fighters in his return to the ring.

The former four-time heavyweight champ, who has said he’s interested in exhibition for charity, seems himself in the ring with former rivals Mike Tyson (53), Riddick Bowe (51) or Lennox Lewis (54).

“It’s better you do it with people who have been around like you,” Holyfield told The Times of London. “I don’t want to go and fight someone trying to make a name for themselves. People want to see me and [Riddick] Bowe, of course, Mike Tyson and maybe Lennox [Lewis], that would be good. I’ll spar with anyone.”

Tyson kicked off all the talk about the legends returning to the ring when he posted a video of himself training and looking fit, after which he declared his intention to “fight” for charity.

Holyfield followed suit by posting his own videos and saying he, too, was coming back.

Some have supported the idea of the legends fighting for charity. Others worry about their welfare. Holyfield suggested that he and his peers will be just fine.

“Look, we are going three rounds. It’s not 10 or 15. Maybe there’ll be headgear,” he said. “My intention is not to knock someone out, but you’ve got 16-ounce gloves and you get good shots in sparring too.”