Mike Tyson has started a revolution in boxing.
After a successful first event for his Legends Only League, one of his most famous rivalries has spontaneously combusted.
https://twitter.com/holyfield/status/1333517457399615490
Former undisputed heavyweight champion Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield felt some type of way when Mike Tyson chose to face Roy Jones Jr.
Evander Holyfield tells Tyson to stop making excuses and sign the contract 👀 pic.twitter.com/vm1zLnHoeg
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) December 1, 2020
His confusion about the “Iron Mike” exhibition-bout comeback stemmed from words Tyson chose to fight Jones on Saturday night.
“My side tried to make the fight happen and we got nothing but excuses,” said Holyfield via statement. “Now I can see why he wanted a tune-up fight before thinking about fighting me.”
“The Real Deal,” says the idea of an exhibition bout was his originally.
Holyfield, 58, feels he is “still in supreme physical condition“ in his 50s. He has been training in the gym for months and feels that Tyson took a “practice run” Saturday night.
However, Holyfield feels there is only one fight the world wants to see: a Tyson vs. Holyfield trilogy bout via exhibition.
Holyfield has fought Tyson twice, including in the infamous ear-biting bout back in 1997.
In honor of Tyson-Jones, this is John Horne, Tyson's then-manager, after the Holyfield ear bite. It's my all-time, all-time, ALL-TIME favorite interview. Ever. #TysonJones pic.twitter.com/oOkRdpalzz
— Jeff Pearlman (@jeffpearlman) November 29, 2020
“Roy Jones was a good local opponent for Mike,” said Holyfield.
“But a fight with me would be a global event and the only fight that anyone wants to see is a fight between us. There is absolutely no reason why we shouldn’t make it happen.”
Clearly, Holyfield was unimpressed.
Popular consensus dictates that Tyson got the better of Jones during the eight-round exhibition match at STAPLES Center Saturday night, although a draw was pretty much pre-determined.
Think of the exhibition bouts like a Verzuz battle.
However, according to Holyfield, the immense attention from the Tyson vs. Jones bout clears the way for the pair to finish their historic rivalry the only way they can.
“No more excuses. This is the fight that must happen for both our legacies. Saturday night you said you were ready to fight me, so sign the contract and get in the ring, Tyson. The world is waiting and it’s on you now. I’m ready.”
Thank the boxing gods, because the old school is back. No official word from Tyson if he has accepted the challenge.
