MMA veteran Wanderlei Silva has been offered £8million to face boxing legend Mike Tyson – in a bare-knuckle bout.
Iron Mike is preparing to make a comeback to box in exhibition bouts for charity, 15 years after retiring.
But the 53-year-old – who has completed a sensational body transformation – has received interest from MMA fighters and Bare Knuckle Boxing Fighting Championship promoter David Feldman.
Tyson initially declined a £16m offer to fight with exposed fists, but Feldman is preparing to up the up the ante.
And he wants former UFC light-heavyweight Silva to face the youngest heavyweight champion of all time, with the 43-year-old Brazilian offered his own multi-million dollar deal plus pay-per-view revenue.
Silva told BoxingScene: “They offered me $10million (£8m) plus pay-per-view percentage and I accepted immediately.
“I hope Feldman can make it happen.”
Silva – a Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu specialist – made his cage debut in 1996 in his homeland of Brazil and went on to compete in the UFC’s early days.
But he made his name in Japan fighting for PRIDE, winning the middleweight title and Grand Prix tournament.
After rejoining the UFC in 2008, Silva has predominantly competed in the US, later signing for Bellator in 2017.
He has 27 KO’s in his 35 wins having been known for his expert striking, but he has not fought since 2018, when he lost to old rival Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson at heavyweight.
But the Brazilian signed for BKBFC last year, though he is yet to fight for the promotion.
Despite Tyson refusing Feldman’s opening approach, the promoter is still trying to negotiate a deal to sign the reformed Baddest Man on The Planet.
But MMA coach Rafael Cordeiro, who has been training Tyson for the last month and has also worked with Silva before, all but ruled out the bare knuckle clash.
Cordeiro said: “I didn’t get any calls from Wand or Tyson, but as far as I know that fight wont happen.
“Tyson is training to make a boxing fight — with gloves.
“It is hard to comment about rumors.”
Wanderlei Silva is a Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu specialist
Mike Tyson’s stunning two-year body transformation
Mike Tyson shows off shredded physique aged 53 in gym workout with MMA legend Vitor Belfort ahead of boxing return
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
