John Fury has put heavyweight legends Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield on notice as he pursues a big money exhibition bout.
Fury Senior, 58, was never a particularly noteworthy fighter during his heyday, and certainly wasn't near the world level like Tyson, 55, or Holyfield, 59. But he has emerged as a beloved character in British boxing as he works alongside his famous sons including world heavyweight champion Tyson and Love Island star Tommy.
And the former boxer wants to cash in on the trend of retired boxers stepping back in the ring for major money exhibitions that don't appear on the fighter's records. Holyfield most recently faced Vitor Belfort in September and was viciously stopped after watching Tyson and Roy Jones Jr fight to a draw in November 2020.
"I’m up for it, but they don’t want to participate," Fury Sr told Metro.co.uk on behalf of FreeBets. "If the money’s right, why not? I believe I’m up there with the fittest people my age. I’m still on the road, I’m still in the gym, I’m still sparring, why not? I’m 57, so if they’re going to do it, they need to be quick about it. I can’t hang on forever at this age. I’m up for anything and anybody as long as the money’s right. Nuisances and dreamers don’t bother applying!"
Tyson or Holyfield would need to come to UK or elsewhere in Europe to face Fury Sr, as the Brit is unable to travel to the United States. He has had long-standing visa issues stemming from a 2011 prison sentence, and has been barred from attending some of his sons' biggest fights including Tyson's trilogy with Deontay Wilder and Tommy's US debut against Anthony Taylor.
But 'Iron Mike' may be eyeing up a fight with his namesake Tyson as opposed to the world heavyweight champion's father. Fury has recently retired from boxing, and despite the general consensus among fans and pundits being that he will be lured back into an undisputed title fight, he says he would rather face the man he was named after in an exhibition bout of his own.
Would you watch a fight between John Fury and Mike Tyson? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Fury and Tyson are two of the most beloved heavyweights in the sport's history, and have established legacies as some of the best to do it. The American was famously heavy-handed, while the Brit is seen as one of the more complete fighters the weight class has seen.
"I'm going to do some exhibition fights, they're not real fights, it's for the entertainment," Fury told Good Morning Britain . "This is not professional boxing, this is pure entertainment, that's all it is, nothing more, nothing less.
"The difference is, the exhibition you're not there to win or lose, you're there to put on a show for the fans. You can fight old-timers, famous people, whoever you want; I'm looking to fight Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Frank Bruno, or Dwayne Johnson, The Rock."
