MIKE TYSON could be ranked by the WBC after boss Mauricio Sulaiman vowed to support 53-year-old.
Iron Mike, the youngest-ever heavyweight champion, could be afforded the shot of becoming the oldest, too.
Mike Tyson may be ranked on his return to boxing, says the WBC chief
WBC chief Sulaiman will rank Tyson if he returns to boxing competitively
WBC chief Sulaiman has admitted he is very interested in getting Tyson ranked – but only if a competitive fight is part of his comeback plan.
Tyson has shared a series of videos in recent weeks, announcing “I’m back!” as he displayed blistering speed and incredible power.
And Sulaiman is intrigued about the prospect of getting The Champ back in the rankings.
Sulaiman said: “Mike Tyson was the youngest to win a world championship. Maybe he will be the oldest!
“He’s a tremendous, legendary figure. He’s an icon for the sport, an icon for the WBC.
“He could knock out anyone with one punch, at any time! So of course we will support him.
“I don’t like to speculate. This is a topic we are all entertained by.
“An exhibition is one thing; if he comes back he has to be licensed and has to go through a thorough process.”
Sulaiman continued: “I’m not going to kill the dream. I’m going to be very supportive of Mike Tyson, he deserves it.
“If the dream is to say ‘I will be ranked,’ I am saying yes, we will rank him.
“Every world champion has a provision that he can come back, like Sugar Ray [Leonard], who was inactive.
“But Tyson’s case is different, he’s been away many years.
“But I am in full support of Mike Tyson. I believe this will bring entertainment and he’s doing it for charity.
“He wants to serve the world in this difficult moment.”
Tyson is set to fight Evander Holyfield, 57, as the veteran duo rekindle their rivalry, while 48-year-old Shannon Briggs has “confirmed” he will also fight Iron Mike.
But Sulaiman went on to say safety must be the top priority, with Tyson now 53 and having not fought professionally in 15 years.
He continued: “We need to first understand what it is. I think it’s an exhibition.
“The safety has to be top priority.
“It is great to see athletes promoting the sport. Mike Tyson had a very complicated life in boxing.
“Now to see him losing weight, active, healthy, is great and we have to support him.
“But we have to see if it is a real fight. I am hearing that it’s an exhibition and we are fully behind him.”
Watch topless Mike Tyson, 53, show off blistering speed and power as he vows to return with spirit of Chinese dictator
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
