Tag: Tyson vs. Holyfield

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.”

Roy Jones Jr. vs. Mike Tyson or Evander Holyfield? Jones seems to be ready

Roy Jones Jr., 51, seems to be ready to join Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield as 50-plus-year-old fighters rejoining the active ranks.

Add another 50-plus legend to those who want to take part in old-timers boxing.

Roy Jones Jr., a former four-division titleholder, hinted during an Instagram interview with one of his fighters that he likes the idea of fighting Mike Tyson (53) or Evander Holyfield (57), both of whom have said they plan to return to take part in exhibitions for charity.

The difference between Jones and the two hall of famers, besides age, is that Jones has been active recently. He last fought two years ago, when he outpointed Scott Sigmon. Tyson hasn’t fought since 2005, Holyfield since 2011.

And it sounds as if Jones still has an edge.

“Let me tell you one thing, just so you all know,” Jones said. “I don’t really mess with people too much, I don’t like to bother nobody. I’m getting older, I love trying to pass what I know down to these guys so they can take what I did, what I knew, and try to add and build on to it.

“Chris Eubank, Shady [Gamhour], whole class of them, trying just to pass to them what I know and let them add what I know to what they do. But … I’ve had a few people bothering me lately. I ain’t gonna say a lot of names, but some pretty strong, big guys trying to bully me around.

“I don’t like being bullied. I will fight you. I know I’m 51 but I will fight somebody over 50. And I ain’t scared to fight nobody, nowhere, at no time. Headgear, no headgear, I don’t care. So just be aware, and be careful what you say.”

Jones didn’t provide details about the encounter to which he was referring but he’s obviously ready to lace ’em up.

Jones fought once as a heavyweight, moving up from 175 pounds to 193 to beat John Ruiz and win a heavyweight title in 2003. He went back down to light heavyweight and ultimately to cruiserweight after that but was never the same dominating fighter he had been.

Mike Tyson’s first exhibition opponent won’t be Evander Holyfield

Mike Tyson said he won’t be facing old rival Evander Holyfield in his first exhibition for charity.

Mike Tyson evidently won’t face old rival Evander Holyfield when he returns to boxing in an exhibition. And he made it clear he isn’t doing it for his own gain.

Tyson, 53, has garnered worldwide attention with viral videos of working out and his stated intention of boxing again. Holyfield, 57, soon followed suit, generating speculation that the two might meet a third time.

Tyson told Lil Wayne on his “Young Money Radio” show that he’ll be facing someone else, although he didn’t say who.

“Nah, nah, we got many guys,” Tyson said, dismissing Holyfield as a potential first opponent. “Listen, we’ve got so many guys that want to do this man. We’re in calls, we’re doing business with guys right now. You’re not going to believe the names when the names come out. Some time this week we’ll have the contract done.

“And whatever money we get, it’s going to somebody else. I’m not going to make any money … probably the company, my wife, because she’s partners with me, she’ll make some probably. But my money is going [to charity].”

He went on: “I’m feeling better than I’ve ever felt in my life. God has been merciful to me, man. I’m gonna get on with it, I’m looking good. Yo, Wayne, I’m 230 [pounds] right now! Man I’m just getting ready you know, I’m just getting ready to help some people out who are less fortunate than me. I’m gonna do this charity event.

“I’m going to take this money and help these homeless, and we’re going to help these addicted brothers. Because I’ve been homeless and I’ve been addicted so I know the struggle. Not many people have survived like I did.”

Video: Mannix, Mora: Evander Holyfield wanted to bite Mike Tyson back

Evander Holyfield told DAZN commentator Chris Mannix that he initially wanted to bite Mike Tyson back after Tyson bit his ear in 1997.

Evander Holyfield took the high road when Mike Tyson twice bit his ear in their June 1997 rematch, not retaliating.

That restraint belies his initial instincts, though. Holyfield told DAZN commentator Chris Mannix that he wanted to bite Tyson back but quickly decided against it.

Tyson ultimately was disqualified in the third round and later suspended. His career was never quite the same.

In this episode of Jabs with Mannix and Mora, Mannix and Sergio Mora give their thoughts on Holyfield’s comment and how boxing history would’ve been different had Holyfield responded in kind.

Here’s what they had to say.

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Mike Tyson on bout with Evander Holyfield: ‘Awesome for charity’

Former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson apparently likes the idea of facing rival Evander Holyfield a third time even though they are 53 and 57.

Former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson apparently likes the idea of facing rival Evander Holyfield a third time even though they are 53 and 57, respectively.

And Iron Mike might’ve quashed any notion that they will engage in an actual fight. Tyson hasn’t fought since 2005, Holyfield since 2011.

“That would be awesome for charity,” Tyson said on TMZ Live. “… Can you imagine me and [Holyfield] going in the ring together? … Hey listen, there are a lot of people out there that need help, and something like that could help a lot of people that are in need of help.”

Tyson has repeatedly teased about a comeback in viral videos of him training, which bring back memories of one of the most feared fighters ever. Holyfield, a former two-division titleholder, followed suit with his own video workouts, in which he made it clear he wasn’t finished either.

And Holyfield said specifically that he would be open to facing Tyson in a controlled environment.

“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.”

So now we wait to see how this unfolds.

WBC President: If Mike Tyson wants to be ranked, ‘we will rank him’

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman acknowledged safety concerns but says he’d rank Mike Tyson if that’s what Iron Mike wants.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman spoke animatedly about Mike Tyson to an outlet called Stats Perform when he said something curious.

Sulaiman said he would place Tyson in his heavyweight rankings if that’s what Iron Mike wants. Tyson, 53 but feeling good, has announced that he plans to take part in exhibitions to benefit charity but many wonder whether he’ll return to competitive boxing.

Ranking? At 53 years old? After 15 years out of the ring?

“I’m not going to kill the dream,” Sulaiman said. “I’m going to be very supportive of Mike Tyson. He deserves it. If the dream is to say, ‘I will be ranked,’ I am saying yes, we will rank him.”

Now we must be fair. Perhaps Sulaiman got carried away with his enthusiasm for a boxing legend. And he did qualify his statement.

Here is the comment in context:

“He could knock out anyone with one punch, at any time! So of course we will support him. I don’t like to speculate. This is a topic we are all entertained by. An exhibition is one thing; if he comes back, he has to be licensed and has to go through a thorough process.

“I’m not going to kill the dream. I’m going to be very supportive of Mike Tyson, he deserves it. If the dream is to say ‘I will be ranked,’ I am saying yes, we will rank him. Every world champion has a provision that he can come back, like Sugar Ray [Leonard], who was inactive.

“But Tyson’s case is different, he’s been away many years. But I am in full support of Mike Tyson. I believe this will bring entertainment, and he’s doing it for charity. He wants to serve the world in this difficult moment.”

Sulaiman went on: “We need to first understand what it is. I think it’s an exhibition. The safety has to be top priority. It is great to see athletes promoting the sport. Mike Tyson had a very complicated life in boxing.

“Now to see him losing weight, active, healthy, is great, and we have to support him. But we have to see if it is a real fight. I am hearing that it’s an exhibition, and we are fully behind him.”

And, finally: “Don’t watch it, if you don’t like it. I love to see NFL players do reunions, I love to see legends doing something. Why not allow them to do something for charity?

“The only thing we have to be careful about is their safety. Why would we block it otherwise? We offer him our full support.”

So Sulaiman did underscore the importance of safety. He acknowledged Tyson’s time away from boxing. And, of course, if a 53-year-old can demonstrate that he’s perfectly healthy and can compete with younger fighters, it’s difficult to keep him out of the ring.

Evander Holyfield, who also has mentioned a comeback and could face Tyson, fought competitively until 48. And Larry Holmes was still active in his early 50s.

Still, Sulaiman might’ve been wise to take this a step at a time rather than prove his loyalty to Tyson by gushing about him. If Tyson takes part in exhibitions only, then there is no reason to talk about ranking.

And if Tyson decides to take his comeback to the next level, Sulaiman had better be careful how he responds. To rank a fighter because of his name, not necessarily his ability, is a horrible look. And, God forbid, Tyson or another geezer gets seriously hurt in the ring in a huge event.

This is serious stuff. One should be careful about what one says.

Video: Mannix, Mora: Is Mike Tyson courting disaster?

DAZN commentators Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora discuss whether there is reason for concern about Mike Tyson’s well being.

Mike Tyson says he’s ready to go back to war at 53 years old.

That could mean a series of exhibitions to benefit charity, as the former heavyweight champion has suggested. That might include a third meeting between Iron Mike and former rival Evander Holyfield, who also says he wants to fight for a good cause.

Or Tyson’s comments could mean something else. Perhaps he’s seriously considering a return to competitive boxing.

In this episode of Jabs with Mannix and Mora, DAZN commentators Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora discuss whether there is reason for concern about Tyson’s well being.

Here’s what they had to say.

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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.

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.”