UFC president Dana White revealed he urged Mike Tyson not to make a comeback and may attempt to stop the 53-year-old from doing so.
Tyson shocked fans after announcing plans to make a ring return – 15 years after retiring – to compete in exhibition bouts for charity.
UFC president Dana White revealed he urged Mike Tyson not to make a comeback
Tyson has spent the last month under MMA coach Rafael Cordeiro
And he has spent the last month under MMA coach Rafael Cordeiro, who has trained several of White’s top UFC fighters, as he gears up to fight for the first time since 2005.
But the UFC boss – who has formed a close friendship with Tyson – has pleaded with the heavyweight legend to think twice about his return and said if his comeback is to do “something crazy” he will attempt to stop it from happening.
White told SPORTSNET: “I love Mike Tyson. I love the guy, he was one of my guys that I looked up to growing up, I’ve always been a huge fan of his and he and I have become very good friends and I’m begging him not to go fight.
“I’m begging him. I said, ‘You look awesome, you’re still explosive, you’re obviously still powerful, you’re one of the all-time greats but, Mike, you’re 53. Please don’t do it, please!’ so let’s see what happens.
“He absolutely wants to do something, I don’t know what he’s going to do but he absolutely wants to do something.
“Bottom line is I don’t want Mike to fight. If it comes down to where he is about to do something crazy, I might have to jump in and figure out something for him not to do it.”
Cordeiro had said Tyson only needed another five more months before he would be ready for a genuine pay-per-view comeback fight.
He has already received offers to face rugby legend Sonny Bill Williams, as well as rematches against Danny Williams or Evander Holyfield and was even called out by Tyson Fury’s dad John.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has been approached to promote Tyson’s comeback, but questioned whether it would affect boxing’s integrity despite admitting he would be fascinated to see how the 53-year-old would fair back in the ring.
Tyson even refused to rule out fighting in the UFC, though it is clear now White would put a stop to this idea.
Mike Tyson hints comeback could be in UFC as 53 year old boxing legend insists ‘anything’s possible’
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
