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Mike Tyson will only return to ring to fight ‘bona fide boxer’ as 53-year-old legend doesn’t want to ‘insult’ the sport
MIKE TYSON will only make a sensational ring return to fight "another bona fide boxer."
Big-money offers and spoof announcements have been flying around the internet since the 53-year-old returned to training.
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But one possibility is a mouthwatering third match between Iron Mike and old foe Evander ‘Real Deal’ Holyfield.
An Aussie matchmaker offered Tyson a £500,000 charity bout against New Zealand rugby star-boxer Sonny Bill Williams.
Then a USA bare-knuckle boxing promoter pledged the Baddest Man on the Planet £16million in a comeback deal.
And even Tyson Fury’s father and ex-heavyweight John Fury, 55, claimed he is prepared to DIE in the ring in trying to beat Tyson, known as one of history’s most venomous punchers.
On Friday, a fake Twitter profile tricked a number of high-profile personalities into believing Tyson had agreed to a bare-knuckle bout with fellow veteran and former world heavyweight champ
Shannon Briggs.
Mike Tyson shows off unbelievable speed aged 53 as heavyweight legend gears up for sensational boxing return
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The prank was swiftly uncovered, leaving fans teased by the short viral clip of Tyson smashing the pads with his new trainer deflated.
But a source close to one of the moves in play to promote a Tyson comeback told SunSport that all hope is not lost.
The insider said: “Mike has ruled out the prospect of the exhibition bout in Australia because he does not want to fight a cross-over athlete.
“If Mike returns to boxing, it will only be to fight another bona fide boxer.
“Mike believes anything else would be an insult to the sport.”
In a social media post on Saturday, Tyson revealed his intentions to fight, stating the "Gods of War have reawakened me."
He wrote: "I feel unstoppable now. The gods of war have reawakened me. They've ignited my ego and want me to go to war again.
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"Imagine I went out there and fought, I could help all these people and animals we're talking about. That's really what it's about."
Holyfield, Tyson’s most infamous ex-rival, who had part of an ear bitten off in their gory 1997 rematch, also announced a return to the ring, coincidentally.
The super-fit 57-year-old is to box in an exhibition show for Covid-19 charity Unite 4 Our Fight.
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