Evander Holyfield says he would be willing to fight old rival Mike Tyson for a third time as long as the rewards were big enough.
Hoyfield considering a third showdown with old nemesis 'Iron Mike'
Evander Holyfield says he would be willing to fight old rival Mike Tyson for a third time as long as the rewards were big enough.
The two fighters are now in their 40s and Holyfield is well aware that a third fight between them would be derided in some quarters as a desperate attempt for one last pay day.
'Real Deal' Holyfield won the previous two fights in 1996 and 1997 - the latter being as a result of Tyson's infamous nibble which took a chunk out of Holyfield's ear.
Both men have made questionable comebacks in recent years, but 45-year-old Holyfield has admitted he is considering an offer from Tyson's camp for a third meeting.
"There has been some talk between us," Holyfield told
The Guardian.
"Mike had Jeff Fenech, who's been training him, call me a few months ago. Jeff says Mike wants to fight me again - but he needs to know if I would agree to it."
Assurances
Holyfield is well aware of the adverse publicity that might come with the two veterans climbing back into the ring again - and wants assurances that 41-year-old Tyson will be taking it seriously enough for it to be a respectable fight.
As well as Iron Mike's physical condition, Hoyfield says that he would want to be handsomely rewarded for facing his unpredictable opponent one more time.
"I said, 'It all depends on what they are going to give us - because I'm gonna catch a lot of flak if I say I'm fighting Mike Tyson again. I've already said I don't want to fight Mike no more'," Holyfield added.
"Jeff says, 'What if Mike gets in proper shape?' I told him that's OK but I can't be part of it if Mike's going to pull out.
"Jeff said, 'The main thing Mike wants to know is if you would be willing to fight him again?'
"I said, 'Yeah, if the price is right, I probably would'."
