Evander Holyfield wants another piece of Mike Tyson
During 2020, one of the biggest spectacles that the boxing world got was “Iron” Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KO’s) versus Roy Jones Jr (66-9, 47 KO’s). The long-retired boxers conspired to stage a pay-per-view exhibition match which took place on November 28. Due to their tremendous fame, the match was well publicized and enjoyed a healthy viewership. The bout itself however, left a great deal to be desired.
Ultimately, the fight was little more than two older athletes huffing and puffing in the ring. Despite the lackluster final product, Tyson insisted that he wanted to and would do it again. Now, it appears he may have a new dance partner. According to The Sun, Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield (44-10-2, 29 KO’s) not only wants to do the fight, he is currently in negotiations with Team Tyson to make it a reality.
“The thing is that if it’s meant to be, it will happen. Either way, it is what it is. What I can tell you is that my team is talking to Mike’s management, so I’m waiting for a decision. They are communicating right now. The thing is I’m still training for this, I know it will be some day this deal will happen and I’m ready for him. I’m doing okay.”
GRANDIOSE DREAMS
Tyson, 54, and Holyfield, 58, famously staged a pair of back-to-back fights in 1996 and 1997. Tyson went on to lose both contests. The Real Deal won the first encounter by eleventh round TKO. Tyson lost the second bout by third round disqualification when he infamously bit Holyfield’s ear…twice!
Now, even though he won both matches and they are outrageously past their primes, Holyfield is eager to hold a third showdown. Not only is the two-division champion ready to come back, he is convinced that the dustup will make staggeringly big money.
“My views are you always help people. I try to pass on the goodness that was passed onto me. Where an opportunity is available, I like to make the best out of what I have. I believe if I fought Mike the fight will generate $200million. It will be the biggest fight there is. That’s the honest truth. I think Mike has my message already.”
“If he is going to do it, he is. If not, then he’s not. It’s a decision he has to make now and we both have to be in an agreement. I’m not going to tell anybody what I’m going to do – my strategy I’m planning on using against Mike – I don’t want anyone to know. I’m happy if Mike fights me.”
SHOOT FOR THE STARS
It goes without saying that Holyfield is being immensely optimistic in his outlook. It was reported that the Tyson v Jones fight brought in about $80 million dollars. This is not bad at all, especially to watch men in their fifties who exhausted their prime quite some time ago. When the novelty fight was over, as to be expected, no one walked away overly spellbound.
Few, if any one, was dying to see another all-retiree battle! Therefore there is little reason to believe that Tyson v Holyfield 3 would generate more than double what Tyson v Jones did. Still, a fighter can dream, right?! The question is, what will become of this dream? Stay tuned to 3kingboxing.com to find out.
By: Bakari Simpson
