Tyson Fury accepts Mike Tyson’s challenge as boxing legend plans sensational comeback at age 53
Tyson Fury has claimed that he has accepted an offer to fight Mike Tyson as the boxing icon comes back to the ring after 15 years. This fight is believed to be one of the many showdowns of the legend’s comeback exhibition after retirement since he is also being lined up for a rematch against Evander Holyfield, who he fought twice during the 90s.
Talking about the latest offer, the 31-year-old Fury said as reported by The Sun: "I did get a phone call with a chance to fight Mike Tyson. I was like ‘what?’ Yeah, I had a phone call saying ‘would you like to fight Mike Tyson in an exhibition fight?’ I was like ‘hell yeah!’"
However, he said: “But I don’t think anything's materialized out of it, to be honest. So yeah I think he’s [Mike Tyson] definitely serious about doing some fights or whatever, but he’s fought Holyfield twice so they’re both old now, so I think they’re a bit long in the teeth."
“But who am I to say anything, what anybody’s capable of? I wouldn’t try and kill anybody’s dreams. If they're both fit to fight, medically fit, then let them do what they want to do. It’s their life, not mine,” Fury added, who said earlier that he would beat his 53-year-old hero in a dream match-up across the eras.
Iron Mike is eyeing a sensational comeback to the sport after his retirement in 2005 when he lost to Kevin McBride and left the sport with a record of 50-6. The former undisputed heavyweight champion has previously claimed that he has got a lot of options to choose from for his comeback showdown.
“Listen we’ve got so many guys that want to do this man. We’re in calls, we’re doing business with guys right now. You’re not going to believe the names when the names come out. Sometime this week we’ll have the contract done. And whatever money we get, it’s going to somebody else. I’m not going to make any money, probably the company, my wife because she’s partners with me, she’ll make some probably. But my money is going,” Mike said.
Meanwhile, another report has claimed that Mike has been offered a $20M for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). He would not only receive the eight-figure sum but would also be able to pick his opponent from the BKFC roster. “While we did make a guaranteed offer of $20 million for Mike [Tyson] to fight for BKFC, we’re open to many different options as to how we can work together. Obviously, the excitement of seeing Mike’s video showing himself training and desire to participate in exhibitions inspired us to reach out and make the offer,” David Feldman, president of BKFC, said.
Earlier this month, Mike announced his return to boxing in an Instagram Live conversation with rapper TI, in which the legend said he was working out to get back in fighting shape again. He also revealed his plans to participate in short, three to four round boxing competitions in the hopes of raising money for charity. He shared that he was planning to focus his altruism towards those affected by drug abuse and homelessness.