MIKE TYSON’S potential return to boxing will end in “embarrassment”, according to promoter Frank Warren.
And that is if the 53-year-old American is even able to secure a licence to step back into the ring.
Mike Tyson is preparing to step back into the boxing ring, 15 years after his last fightCredit: Instagram @kingsmma_hb
Tyson has got himself back into shape, 15 years after his last fight.
After a video of him hitting the pads with electric speed went viral and he revealed he wanted to step back for a four-round exhibition fight, talk of a stunning comeback is picking up.
He has since been offered $1million to fight New Zealand rugby icon Sonny Bill Williams.
Former fighter Oscar De La Hoya has said The Baddest Man on the Planet could still knock out any of today’s heavyweights even if he is nearing his pension.
And Evander Holyfield has dared his old rival Tyson – who he beat twice in the 1990s – to challenge him to a third fight in the name of charity, despite their combined age of 110.
Their 1996 bout ended with a technical knockout in the 11th round, while the rematch a year later ended in controversy when Tyson stunned the world by biting off a chunk of Holyfield’s ear.
But Warren, who represents current WBC heavyweight king Tyson Fury, reckons the dream could end in disaster.
Writing in the Metro, the Queensberry Promotions chief said: “I don’t care if Mike Tyson is in the gym for the next ten years, he has no chance against any heavyweight.
“I have no idea who would licence him at the age of 53 if it wasn’t an exhibition match. I can’t see any governing body doing that.
“He’s in there getting himself fit and well, and that’s brilliant. But in terms of fighting again, give me a break.
“I know the lockdown is driving us all a bit mad and there’s lots of talk about fantasy fights, but all the fighters who come back all wind up one way – going straight back out again.
“If they make it into the ring, they all get beat bad and embarrassed.
“If he comes back, who is he going to fight? His trainer said he could fight any heavyweight in six months, he probably could.
“I could fight any heavyweight in six months, at least I could get in there and try. There’s only one outcome and it would be the same for Mike.
“At 53? How could be beat any heavyweight? He’d be dangerous for one round, I’m sure he can still hit hard, but then he’d be out of gas.
“Exhibition matches are one thing, but as for a competitive fight? Forget about it.
“His coach talking about him fighting any of the heavyweights out there, would I ever put him with someone like Daniel Dubois? Never.
“It’d be an embarrassment. I can’t think of a single heavyweight he could fight.
“I saw his short training clip and all I can say is pads do not hit back. It was a short video for a reason. Short little bursts don’t fly in a real fight.
“Title fights are 12 rounds. That’s what it takes. It’s a fantasy to think he could come back and beat anyone, but an exhibition fight? Good luck to him.”
Tyson became heavyweight world champion aged just 20 in 1986 and went on to win 50 of his 58 bouts.
But he lost three of the last four fights in the early 2000s, with his most-recent effort against Kevin McBridge coming less than three weeks before his 39th birthday.
Iron Mike’s last bout was against Kevin McBridge in 2005, just before his 39th birthdayCredit: Reuters
Promoter Frank Warren reckons a potential return for 53-year-old Tyson would end badlyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Mike Tyson’s trainer Rafael Cordeiro ‘saw his life flash before his eyes’ after he showed off frightening speed at 53 in training clip
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
