Tag: Tyson-Holyfield

Evander Holyfield: ‘Yes, I want to fight Mike Tyson’

Evander Holyfield likes the sound of a third fight with Mike Tyson, although the word “fight” shouldn’t be taken too literally.

Evander Holyfield likes the sound of a third fight with Mike Tyson, although the word “fight” shouldn’t be taken too literally.

Holyfield, 57, and Tyson, 53, have talked about returning to the ring in exhibitions for charity. And what better match up to attract attention than Holyfield vs. Tyson III?

However, Holyfield made it clear that the former rivals – who have become friendly – wouldn’t be out for blood.

“I would do that!” Holyfield told The Sun. “Yes, I want to fight Mike Tyson. My whole thing is I’m open, and I know that I want to do well for myself at age 57. I can definitely handle him. But Mike would have to want to do it as well.

“We have to come up with something that is not a knockout grudge match. It’s not about who can beat who but to show people we were some of the greatest fighters in our era and we’ve come together as men to do something for others.

“I don’t have anything against Mike personally. The thing is I think it would be good for the sport. And even though boxing is a rough sport, we can show people we can come together. If we do this fight, it would be great.

“I can still shoot the jab, I can still shoot the shots, but not like a killing thing, [not like] ‘I’m going to hurt you, I’m going to show you that I can knock him out.’ Mike is looking sharp, but I’m in very good condition and shape physically and mentally. And if the money is right, too, then let’s get it on.

“I know he’s getting offers from all types of people. Since we have both announced a comeback, a fight between me and Mike would definitely be the fight people want to see.”

Holyfield, as much as a 25-1 underdog, stunned the boxing world by knocking out Tyson in 11 rounds on Nov. 9, 1996. In the rematch, the following June 28, Tyson was disqualified in the third round after biting Holyfield’s ear.

Holyfield has since forgiven Tyson.

Opinion: Mike Tyson has no illusions about capturing past glory

Mike Tyson is interested in fighting for charity, as he said, not facing top heavyweights in a bid to recapture past glory.

I don’t know Mike Tyson. The 53-year-old former heavyweight champ could have genuine designs on challenging for the heavyweight championship. If nothing else, he could make a fortune by luring a big-name opponent or two into the ring.

But I don’t believe that’s his plan.

Tyson isn’t stupid and he knows boxing. In spite of eye-popping workouts caught on video, one in which he declared “I’m back,” he is well aware that men his age no longer have the speed, the power and – perhaps most important – the reflexes to compete with a prime opponent.

He remembers the helpless feeling of being knocked out a decade and a half ago by journeymen Danny Williams and Kevin McBride, fighters he would’ve annihilated anywhere near his prime. How could he possibly expect to do better against a good heavyweight today?

He couldn’t.

And I don’t believe he’s so desperate financially these days that he’d risk his well being or embarrass himself, which would be inevitable. Yes, most people – even rich ones – would consider taking advantage of the opportunity to make a seven-figure payday or two but they would also consider what they might lose in the process.

It would be like selling your soul to the devil. Tyson has already danced too often with that individual.

Tyson already has received lucrative offers to get back into the ring, including one to take part in a bare-knuckle fight. He hasn’t accepted any of them as of yet as he and his team apparently contemplate how to move forward.

Eddie Hearn said on a British Boxing TV video that someone connected to Tyson reached out to him, presumably to explore the possibility of arranging some sort of event.

The British promoter staged “fights” involving YouTube personalities on otherwise legitimate cards, which irked many in the boxing world. To go another step and promote an actual fight between a 53-year-old and a young, legitimate contender or champion made him pause.

“Is it a bit irresponsible to let a 53-year-old legend get back in the ring?” Hearn asked. “I don’t know. He looks pretty dangerous, but I think it’s just the fascination of could he actually go in at 53 and do some damage in the division? Maybe, maybe not. There’s a fine line, and I’ve crossed it a couple of times, sort of with the integrity of the sport versus entertainment and delivering numbers.

“Our job is to deliver numbers for our broadcasters. But we have to try and keep it as close to the right mark as we possibly can. I don’t know, stranger things have happened. We’ll see.”

Hearn then brought up the money factor.

“Fighters and legends are seeing other fighters make money for fights they think are insignificant,” Hearn said. “Tyson isn’t thinking about wanting to come back to add to my legacy. He’s thinking how much I can get, simple. The answer is quite a lot of money.”

Well, Hearn left out an important point: Tyson doesn’t have to fight Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua or Deontay Wider to generate good money, whether for charity, himself or a combination of both.

Evander Holyfield, 57, said he too would like to get back into the ring to raise money for his own charity. An exhibition between the two former rivals – with strict limitations on intensity – would be fun for the fighters, the fans and benefit good causes. Some half-hearted punches and a fake ear bite would leave everybody happy.

I believe that’s what Tyson has in mind, not a suicidal attempt to regain glory from the distant past. Again, the guy isn’t stupid.

Evander Holyfield envisions exhibition with Mike Tyson for charity

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.”