Mike Tyson ‘to be offered more than £16m’ to fight in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship at 53 with icon in top shape
MIKE TYSON has been offered more than £16million to compete in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Iron Mike has been getting himself back into incredible shape over recent months as he looks towards a sensational comeback. The American, 53, had rejected an initial offer of £16m to appear in the brutal sport. But now BKBFC […]
MIKE TYSON has been offered more than £16million to compete in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
Iron Mike has been getting himself back into incredible shape over recent months as he looks towards a sensational comeback.
The American, 53, had rejected an initial offer of £16m to appear in the brutal sport.
But now BKBFC chief David Feldman thinks he may be able to persuade Tyson to get involved with an improved deal on the table which also includes a charity donation.
He told MMA Fighting: “I think I know what we need to do to make this thing happen.
“First, I want to see if we can make the Mike thing happen, period, and then we’ll start talking opponents.
“We’re not successful yet in making that Mike thing happen. But I don’t think the door’s shut.
“He did say no immediately. But I think there’s room there.”
Feldman argued the retired legend is a perfect fit for his sport which consists of five two-minute rounds of explosive fighting and made the American an offer after seeing his training clips online.
He told Sirius XM Fight Nation: “I wasn’t really targeting Mike Tyson until he came back with the videos.
“He was training and he said, ‘I’m back,’ so I said look, if you shoot me back I think this is the perfect platform for him.
“Look, Mike Tyson, at his age, I don’t think he can do ten three-minute rounds, this is five two-minute rounds.
“It’s a little different than what he’s use to, but it’s a shorter timeframe and I think it’s something that would really fit his fighting style and his age group right now.”
Tyson, though, may prefer to return to what he is used to and step back inside the ring for a regular boxing fight – all in the name of charity.
A trilogy bout with Evander Holyfield is on the cards.
No fight has yet been agreed between the pair, who met twice in the 1990s, but Holyfield is not wasting time in whipping himself into shape.
But despite a promo video suggesting he was in pretty decent shape, leaked behind-the-scenes footage doing the rounds online suggests he still has a long way to go.
Tyson, meanwhile, is keen to get an exhibition fight arranged.
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He told TMZ Sport: “That would be awesome for charity. Can you imagine me and him going in the ring together?
“I’m in good shape, I feel really good. Anything is possible. I’m having fun, looking good, showing off my new body and stuff.
“Hey listen, there are a lot of people out there that need help and something like that could help a lot of people that’s in need for help.”
