Tyson Fury Supports Mike Tyson’s Return Under The Right Circumstances
As long as he’s not interfering with his own plans, Tyson Fury is extremely supportive of Mike Tyson’s return to the ring.
The youngest heavyweight champion at 20, Tyson (50-6, 2NC) is set to return to boxing for the first time since 2005. Competing in exhibition bouts for charity, it appears as if the passion of Tyson is back. Tyson, who at one point was over 300 pounds, is down to about 230. His dedication to his mind and body, considering his history, is something to commend.
“Iron” Mike and Fury (30-0-1) have a lot in common, most notably their run-in with mental health issues. After winning the lineal title in 2015, Fury’s history with alcohol and drug abuse is infamous. Recently, Tyson stated the reason for Tyson’s success is because of his past issues. He related to Fury and wanted him to continue forward. With Tyson’s history, Fury told IFL TV he understands the former’s attempt at a comeback.
“I know what it’s like to suffer with mental health problems and then give myself a massive goal to achieve and I know what it’s like to set about achieving it,” Fury stated, via Boxing Scene. “Mike Tyson is 53 years old and Evander Holyfield is nearly 60, if they want to do this, this is their choice. Let them do it. We could say, ‘oh no, don’t let them do it’. But at the end of the day, they are grown men. They know the risks, they know their responsibility. I say if they can pass medicals and pass all the brain scans and they are healthy and fit to box, then let them box.”
Joining Tyson is Evander Holyfield. “The Real Deal” announced his return to fight for charity as well, with interest in a Tyson trilogy fight. 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. Tyson will be looking to help out those with drug addictions, something he has dealt with before.
Fury, who has used religion as his guide, has talked about his comeback many times. Not many gave him a chance, and then he shocked them all when he survived a twelfth-round knockdown at the hands of Deontay Wilder in 2018. This past February he beat Wilder easily, shocking those who thought he wasn’t taking the fight seriously. That is why he doesn’t want people to dismiss anything Tyson and Holyfield do. History has shown that anything is possible.
“George Foreman was 44 years old when he won the world championship, how can we consider having an older heavyweight champion if they are not giving them the opportunity to? ‘If they are fighting exhibitions then it’s between them isn’t it and people their own age. Shannon Briggs is a bit younger than them and whoever else,” Fury went on to say.
When it comes to fighting the current crop of heavyweights, however, Fury would like to see a little bit of reality hit when it comes to matchups.
“But I wouldn’t like to see Mike fighting one of the top heavyweights because obviously 53 years old versus 35 or 30 [years old] it’s just not fair. ‘But to see him fight someone his own age like an old-timer as well, fantastic, I’d love to see it. ‘If he’s definitely serious about it I’ll buy a pay per view, for sure. There’s one buy right here,” said Fury.