Mike Tyson has turned down an offer to meet old foe Evander Holyfield in a trilogy after his defeat to Jake Paul.
Tyson, 58, returned to the ring last Friday in Dallas to fight a man 31 years younger than him in Paul. Having not fought professionally in 19 years, the man once known as the ‘Baddest man on the Planet’ laboured around the ring, comfortably beaten by the YouTuber-turned-boxer.
Despite revealing he ‘almost died’ in the run up to that fight, Tyson has refused to rule out another fight, even teasing the possibility of a fight against Jake Paul’s brother Logan.
Holyfield, the heavyweight legend whose career is perhaps most synonymous with Tyson’s, has now stepped forward with hope of staging a trilogy fight.
At the height of heavyweight boxing’s popularity in the 1990s, Holyfield and Tyson twice met in the ring.
Tyson was knocked by Holyfield in November 1996 with the two meeting again six m months later in Las Vegas.
That night, Tyson was disqualified for biting off part of his opponent’s ear in one of the most controversial moments in sporting history, almost sparking a riot in the venue.
The two have since buried the hatchet, appearing alongside each other at a number of events over the years.
Tyson however appears to have rejected the chance to fight Holyfield for a third time, responding to his Instagram post with: ‘I love you brother, but the trilogy is our friendship.’
While Tyson vs Holyfield III would be another nostalgia trip for boxing fans, there would likely be serious concerns for both men again.
Like Tyson did, Holyfield returned to the ring aged 58 three years ago to fight former UFC champion Vitor Belfort in an exhibition match.
Having taken the fight on two weeks’ notice, the former cruiserweight and heavyweight champion was badly beaten. failing to land a meaningful punch as he was knocked down twice in the opening round before the referee mercifully stopped the fight.
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