Tyson vs Holyfield III? Evander open to fighting 'Iron Mike' in trilogy bout for charity

George Flood25 May 2020

Former five-time world heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield has indicated a willingness to contest a charity trilogy fight against old rival Mike Tyson.

Rumours regarding a return to the ring for 'Iron Mike' have gathered pace over recent weeks after the 53-year-old initially posted a number of ferocious training videos to social media demonstrating his remaining speed and power.

Tyson - whose eventful in-ring career ended with a shock defeat by Irishman Kevin McBride in 2005 - has said he wants to get fit enough to box "three or four-round exhibitions" for charity.

48-year-old Shannon Briggs claimed last week that he had agreed to such a bout against the former undisputed world heavyweight champion, while Holyfield, 57, has also announced plans to abandon retirement and contest exhibition fights in support of charity 'Unite4OurFight'.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about the prospect of renewing his rivalry against Tyson, who has also been challenged by the likes of Tyson Fury's father John, Holyfield appeared to suggest that he would be willing to do it - if Tyson asks.

"If I ask him it's almost like me being a bully saying I want to go against somebody I've beaten twice," said 'The Real Deal', who originally hung up his gloves in 2014 at the age of 51 having not fought since his 2011 stoppage of Brian Nielsen.

Trilogy fight? Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson could clash in the ring once again
Getty Images

He added: "I don't want pressure on me that 'you just want to fight Mike because you know you can beat him'.

"If he hits me I'm gonna hit you back, that's what boxing is really about. I'm gonna be 58, he'll be 54, you talk about being in good health and doing things the proper way that respects it."

In Pictures | Mike Tyson

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The American heavyweight duo eventually went head to head for the first time in Las Vegas in November 1996, when Holyfield secured an 11th-round stoppage to take Tyson's WBA belt.

Their infamous rematch seven months later saw Tyson disqualified and lose his boxing license for biting Holyfield's ear in a bout that became known as the 'Bite Fight'.

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