Evander Holyfield hints at comeback for potential Mike Tyson bout
London, May 14
Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield has given fuel to speculation of him coming out of retirement to fight Mike Tyson in the ring as he has released a training video on Twitter.
My 1st week back in the gym and I feel great I’m looking forward to stepping up my training sessions and intensity as I prepare for my fight.
I told you I had something for you🥊@ReneeYoungWWE @BookerT5x@TheMarkHenry @WWEonFOX@FOXSports pic.twitter.com/ncgeJMTkmE
— Evander Holyfield (@holyfield) May 13, 2020
“My first week back in the gym and I feel great,” Holyfield, who holds the record of being the only four-time heavyweight champion in boxing history, said on the micro-blogging website.
“I’m looking forward to stepping up my training sessions and intensity as I prepare for my fight.”
Tyson, the former-world heavyweight champion, has also released several training videos of his own in recent weeks. On Monday, he had come with a training video ending with the message, “I’m back”.
Tyson had fought two epic bouts with Holyfield during their professional careers, including the controversial 1997 rematch at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
When asked whether he would take on Tyson for the third time, Holyfield told The Sun: “I would do that! 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,” he added.
The 57-year-old Holyfield had last week announced his return to the ring for a charity bout on Instagram.
Tyson, who became the youngest heavyweight champion of all time when he defeated Trevor Berbick in 1986 aged 20, won 50 of his 58 professional fights before retiring after his loss to Kevin McBride in 2005. While Holyfield had announced his retirement in 2014.
If they do return, they will be following in the footsteps of Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao in coming out of retirement for an exhibition fight.
Possible Tyson return raises questions for promoter Hearn
Meanwhle, British promoter Eddie Hearn says he would probably like to see former heavyweight champion Tyson fight again but has questioned whether boxing should be encouraging a 53-year-old to get back in the ring.
“I would probably like to see it but … is it a bit irresponsible to let a 53-year-old legend back in the ring?” Hearn told British Boxing Television.
“I had a message from someone saying they wanted to talk to me about Mike. He looks pretty dangerous. What’s compelling is could he actually go back in at 53 and do some damage? But should we be encouraging that from an all-time great?”
“There’s a fine line and I’ve crossed it a couple of times — between integrity of the sport and entertainment delivering numbers. Our job is to deliver numbers for broadcasters but we have to keep it as close to the right mark as we can.” — Agencies
