It might be too easy to ask this question right now considering fans are starved for new and live sports content, but would you pay to watch Holyfield vs. Tyson III?
The current sports hiatus has proven that fans love to reminisce, and we’re all great at believing the last generation was the best. Michael Jordan isn’t coming back to the NBA, we’ve seen the last of Manning vs. Brady, but maybe boxing can provide a glimpse of what used to be, by sending two fighters in their 50’s back to the ring.
Last week, one 5-second training video of 53-year old Mike Tyson triggered lucrative fight offers. In an Instagram Live interview with T.I. Harris, Tyson said he wants to box three or four round exhibitions for charity. Monday afternoon, Iron Mike made a possible return to the ring seem like more of a reality, posting an intense training video while proclaiming “I’m Back.”
Keep in mind, the last time Tyson won a sanctioned boxing match was Feb. 22, 2003. Putting in perspective how long ago that was, the night before Tyson won his last fight, Michael Jordan scored 43 points, leading the Washington Wizards to victory over the New Jersey Nets.
Tyson already received a $1 million offer, which was soon upped to $3 million from Australian promoter Brian Amatruda. Later, Tyson received and declined a $20 million bid from Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship President David Feldman.
In the meantime, 57-year old Evander Holyfield has also shared training videos while announcing a return to the ring, looking to raise money for charity through exhibition matches. Tyson has stated he hopes to raise money for drug addicts and homeless people. Holyfield’s initiative is #Unite4OurFight which will help underprivileged students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Admittedly, I’ve never been a boxing fan, but I was locked in when a 60-year old Rocky Balboa returned to the ring in 2006, so I would absolutely pay for Evander Holyfield vs Mike Tyson III.