Holyfield Interested In Tyson Exhibition Bout
After announcing he will be returning to the ring for the first time since 2011, Evander Holyfield is keeping his eye on Mike Tyson.
Holyfield (44-10-2, 1NC) announced his intentions to fight for charity. Looking in fight shape, many predicted he would be going after Tyson (50-6, 2NC), who after losing weight said he will be returning to the ring for exhibition bouts. After a few days of waiting, Holyfield ended up telling Boxing Scene he is willing to do so, to go along with the theme of charity. He is not interested in a bout that will be covered as a rivalry.
“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 stated. “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.”
“The Real Deal” beat Tyson in November 1996 for the WBA Heavyweight Title. Holyfield was able to control the fight, beating Tyson via TKO. Tyson did not feel like himself and wasn’t able to get any sort of advantage in the later rounds. They fought one another in a rematch in 1997, with Holyfield winning via DQ. This bout was controversial due to Tyson biting the ear of Holyfield twice. There was never a third bout between the two.
The two have since formed a relationship with one another, appearing at events together. Holyfield has stated that if the money was right, he would fight Tyson once again.
Tyson is hoping to fight for drug addicts and those in need. Holyfield stated he will be fighting for #Unite4OurFight, an organization that helps overcome challenges and adversity for children and first responders. It is a huge part of The Evander Holyfield Foundation.
As far as how a fight between the two would go, Holyfield believes that another win against Tyson would be inevitable. He is not counting Tyson out, however.
“Everyone knows Mike is very explosive and quick, but I keep my head high and never drop my hands,” Holyfield went on to say. “I’m quick too. I can’t wait on him, because if I do, he may hit me,” said Holyfield as to what a real fight with Tyson would look like in 2020. “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.”
Since announcing his intentions to fight again, Tyson has had offers from a variety of entities. He was offered $1 million to fight Australian football and ruby stars and $20 million to sign with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. A rematch with Danny Williams and a fight with John Fury has also been offered.
Holyfield has also stated he would fight Lennox Lewis if it was possible. He is willing to fight as long as everything is how it should be.
“My whole thing is that I’ll do exhibition matches with people that I trust,” Holyfield said. “It’s important in an exhibition to describe how you want it to be. You talk about how to work together. It’s not going to be a tough fight. If you hit me hard, I hit you back hard. That’s my attitude… If I wasn’t in shape, I wouldn’t go in there with anybody.”