MIKE TYSON vs Evander Holyfield III is set for the Middle East this year in a £200m-plus epic rematch.
SunSport understands the veteran pair, with a combined age of 112, are in talks over a trilogy fight taking place in Dubai.
Mike Tyson is in talks for a follow-up fight after his comeback against Roy Jones JrCredit: Getty – Contributor
Following the success of Tyson’s November comeback against Roy Jones Jr in Los Angeles, the Baddest Man on the Planet is now fielding offers from some of the richest places on earth for his follow-up fight.
Anthony Joshua landed a £100million site fee to beat Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia in 2019 and the UFC is enjoying a great lockdown run in Abu Dhabi, where all Covid-19 rules are followed and mega-money can still be made.
So, with 54-year-old Hangover star Tyson proving himself to still be a massive attraction, there is plenty of dosh on the table for another dance, this time in the desert.
The American heavyweights went toe-to-toe twice, with Holyfield winning the thrilling November 1996 original with an 11th-round stoppage.
The rematch, seven months later, is one of the most infamous in history after Tyson was disqualified for biting off a chunk of the Real Deal’s ear.
Holyfield, now 58, is believed to have blown through nearly the same £300million fortune his old foe splurged away in their wild heydays.
But Tyson enjoyed a windfall by boxing Jones Jr in a pay-per-view exhibition that turned out to be a financial success.
The L.A clash between Tyson and Jones was a hit for broadcasters on both sides of the pond, with BT Sport pleased with the number of fans who snapped up the £19.95 show despite it’s twilight start time around 5am.
Evander Holyfield and Tyson Fury have a legendary rivalryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The heavyweight duo have fought twice beforeCredit: AFP – Getty
Holyfield was the original opponent Team Tyson had in mind for his comeback, after 15 years retired, but the deal fell through allowing Jones Jr to profit.
The only man to be undisputed champion in two divisions, Holyfield looks in fine shape for his years.
But a video leaked last year from the set of one of his promo training videos appeared to show a man losing the battles against Father Time and a long list of injuries.
British boxing fans will remember from AJ’s revenge mission that Saudi Arabia’s time zone is perfect for British fans to watch a night-time fight, with the Gulf only three hours ahead.
Mike Tyson famously bit off a chunk of Holyfield’s ear in 1997
But Iron Mike and his old rival will want to earn out of the huge US market, so they could take a page out of the UFC playbook and hold an early-morning fight.
Conor McGregor’s defeat to Dustin Poirier on January 23 took place around 8am Sunday local time and around 5am UK, so it would reach a primetime American audience on Saturday night.
And a similar move could be used for Tyson’s latest money-spinner, allowing him to land a massive site fee from the hosts and maximum scope in the PPV market.
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
