Legendary Boxing star, Iron Mike Tyson is licking his lips over the possibility of an epic trilogy fight against old rival, Evander Holyfield.
Tyson, 54, is shaping up for a return to the ring when he faces Roy Jones Jr on November 28.
The one time ‘baddest Man on the planet’ took on Holyfield in two iconic fights in 1996 and 1997, with Holyfield winning both bouts.
The first fight ended with an 11th-round stoppage as Tyson lost his WBA world title, but the rematch one year later would go down in boxing folklore after he was disqualified for biting a chunk out of Holyfield’s ear.
Speaking on an NFL half-time show, as reported by MMA Fighting, Tyson suggested there was unfinished business between the pair and would consider it if there was a clamour from the fans to make it happen.
“That’s always something that we can do if the people want it, if it’s pragmatic enough, I’d love to do it,” he said.
Holyfield, who dominated the cruiserweight division before becoming a five-time heavyweight champion of the world, has also been mulling over a comeback to the sport after posting photos of his vigorous training regime.
This week he also teased the showdown with Tyson, uploading Sports Illustrated’s front cover of his 1996 victory and asking his Instagram followers: “Who would like to see Holyfield vs Tyson 3? Or who else would you like to see me get in the ring with in an exhibition?”
Tyson was also asked if he would consider a return to professional boxing – not just a charity or exhibition match – against the world’s best fighters.
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury currently hold all the world title belts, and he said the prospect of taking on the elite was ‘mind boggling’.
“Man, that would be a novelty,” he added. “Me using my skills, matching my skills now against the best heavyweights in the world, that would be mind-boggling.”
Iron Mike is one of a handful of veteran fighters who have opted to make a return to boxing, but he doesn’t want to be known as an ‘old guy’ and feels it is a new era for ‘the gods of war’ in heavyweight boxing.
“Old guys – that word don’t even make sense,” Tyson said. ‘”Old”.
It’s just a new time, a new thinking period in our lives. This is what we want to do. Sometimes the gods of war, they revive you and say, “You have to do more”.
“Now I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t prepare for this. I box people to see if I’m able do this stuff, so I can do this stuff.”
