EDDIE HEARN has claimed Mike Tyson’s camp have “reached out” to him to promote the 53-year-old’s sensational comeback.
Tyson has been in the gym for the last month under MMA coach Rafael Cordeiro after announcing shock plans to fight in exhibition bouts for charity.
Tyson had announced shock plans to make a ring return to fight in exhibition bouts for charity
Promoter Eddie Hearn has been in talks with the heavyweight legend’s team about working on his remarkable comeback
He has received numerous big-money proposals – including from rugby star Sonny Bill Williams and even Tyson Fury’s dad John – but will only entertain more serious offers.
As SunSport revealed, Tyson is only willing to step back into the ring for the first time in 15 years if it is against a “bona fide” opponent as he does not want to disrespect the sport he loves.
And Anthony Joshua’s promoter Hearn – who staged the rematch between YouTubers KSI and Logan Paul last November – has been in talks with the heavyweight legend’s team about working on his remarkable comeback.
He told British Boxing TV: “They reached out to me. I had a call, a message, someone reached out to me and said ‘I wanna talk about Mike’.
“I would like to see it. But I kind of feel like, and I know people will say ‘Well, you did the YouTube fight with KSI’ but is it a bit irresponsible to let a 53-year-old legend get back in the ring?
“I don’t know. He looks pretty dangerous, but I think it’s just the fascination of could he actually go in at 53 and do some damage in the division? Maybe, maybe not.”
After Hearn promoted Paul’s loss to KSI, three months later his brother Jake also made his pro debut beating internet rival AnEsonGib.
The promoter admitted the interest and numbers generated from the YouTubers boxing was great enough for him to promote KSI fighting Jake, but insisted he would not stage regular events involving the social media stars.
But with Tyson – who retired in 2005 with a record of 50-6-2 – claiming to be feeling in his prime, Hearn questions whether bringing the ageing heavyweight back to the ring damages the sport’s integrity.
It comes as 57-year-old Evander Holyfield, who twice beat Tyson, also announced plans to make a comeback and revealed he would face Iron Mike for a third time but only if it was for charity.
Hearn added: “There’s a fine line, and I’ve crossed it a couple of times, sort of with the integrity of the sport versus entertainment and delivering numbers.
“Our job is to deliver numbers for our broadcasters. But we have to try and keep it as close to the right mark as we possibly can.
“I don’t know, stranger things have happened, we’ll see.”
Hearn promoted the YouTube fight between KSI and Logan PaulCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Tyson retired in 2005 with a record of 50-6-2
Mike Tyson declares ‘I’m back’ as 53-year-old posts ferocious video showing off speed and power in training
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
