EVANDER HOLYFIELD has dared old rival Mike Tyson to challenge him to a third fight in the name of charity.
The 57-year-old faced Tyson twice in the 1990s, winning both fights.
Holyfield twice defeated Tyson in the 1990s
Their 1996 bout ended with a technical knockout in the 11th round, while the rematch a year later ended in controversy when Tyson, now 53, stunned the world by biting off a chunk of Holyfield’s ear.
“The Warrior” announced on Wednesday that he will be making a comeback to take part in exhibition charity boxing matches, just like old foe Tyson.
And the four-time heavyweight champion has prompted nostalgia by admitting that he is ready for a third fight with his old rival, despite their combined age of 110.
I wouldn’t ask him [Tyson] does he want to do it, he would have to ask me, because it’s just like being a bully, you beat the guy twice and you know that you can.
Evander Holyfield
When quizzed about the subject, he told Manouk Akopyan:”I’m thinking just take one fight at a time.
“If it comes about, as long as it works for both of us.
“The thing is, I look at it like, I wouldn’t ask him [Tyson] does he want to do it, he would have to ask me, because it’s just like being a bully, you beat the guy twice and you know that you can.
“If it’s a charity thing it’ll be more of this is what he wants to do.”
During his fabled career Tyson was known as one of the most fearsome competitors in sport, but Holyfield believes that he has mellowed since exiting the ring for the final time as a pro in 2005.
He continued: “I think the marijuana kinda helped him, he’s not as aggressive as he used to be, me and him have conversations and we’ll never get into how it used to be, it’s just accepting people for who they are.”
Despite being four years Tyson’s senior, Holyfield believes that he still knows how to beat the “Baddest Man on the Planet”.
Tyson could get a shot at finally defeating his old foeCredit: Getty – Contributor
He said: “I’m four years older than Mike, I know that he is very quick, but I’m quick too.
“But I realise I can’t wait on him, because I know if I wait on him he may get me.
“The art of the game is, if I was going to do anything with anybody, we’re going to talk about this because my whole thing is I don’t look at this like it’s going to be a one handed fight, this is a charity event and we’ll get the decision.
“We’re doing this, raising money for a charity and then they pay us so we have something for ourselves, but the thing is, you know what you’re doing it for.
“Because if it wasn’t for a charity – I wouldn’t do it.”
Holyfield also elaborated on who else he’d be willing to fight: “I wouldn’t do Larry Holmes, I wouldn’t do George Foreman, I wouldn’t do none of them, my whole thing is, I would do it with people who I trust, like Riddick Bowe.
“People I could trust, I’m into working with people that trust, because if you hit me hard I’ll hit you back hard.
“I can fight and I know I’m in better shape than them, if I weren’t in shape at all, I wouldn’t go in there with nobody.”
As well as Tyson, Holyfield would also consider a charity trilogy bout with another old foe in the shape of Lennox Lewis.
He said: “Yeah, I would spar with Lennox, my whole thing is that, I don’t have no problem.
“I wouldn’t go with a Deontay [Wilder], I wouldn’t go with none of the young guys, because I realise their reflexes are faster than mine.
“They’re just a little too quick. I like to have the hand speed, that means I can pop him and move about my business.”
Holyfield believes he still has what it takes to beat TysonCredit: AFP
Holyfield is one of a number of potential contenders that have emerged since Tyson revealed his comeback plans, including Sonny Bill Williams, David Haye and even John Fury.
Tyson wowed fans with his speed in a training video posted to Instagram.
He captioned the vid: “#stillthebaddestmanontheplanet”.
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
