Mike Tyson has admitted that there's a chance he could find himself getting back in the ring for one last bout at the age of 56.
The legendary heavyweight champion hasn't been training particularly intensely since his 2020 comeback bout with Roy Jones Jr, which ended in a draw. But the bout was one of boxing's all-time biggest pay-per-view events and has meant that other offers are never far from the discussion despite his age.
Tyson will turn 57 this summer, and has entertained talks about potentially fighting the likes of Jake or Logan Paul, as well as stepping in for a trilogy with his old rival Evander Holyfield. But no deal has ever materialised, and he will only begin taking training seriously when people with the mega money he requires arrive at the table.
“I could be persuaded," Tyson said of a potential comeback while speaking to TMZ recently, before insisting that he 'can't express himself financially'. “I don’t know. When I see the money people for the end of the product, my mind works clearer. I can’t express myself right now financially.”
If he were to make another go at boxing, the two opponents that TMZ mentioned as possibilities were Holyfield or Jones, both of whom he has previously fought. His rivalry with Holyfield would make a rematch undoubtedly one of the biggest fights ever, but fans would likely be concerned after his disaster comeback against Vitor Belfort in 2021.
Tyson has also previously considered the idea of facing one of the Paul brothers, but has poured cold water on that idea of late. Last year, Jake Paul seemed keen on the fight, but he's booked in to face Nate Diaz while it appears his brother Logan is more focused on his professional wrestling career in the WWE.
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The former fighter, who remains an in-demand pay-per-view draw deep into his 50s, has now insisted that the links should be downplayed given he no longer intends to make a new comeback. He said in a brief statement on his HotBoxin' podcast : “No way! I’m not fighting nobody, I’m just chilling.”
Tyson had previously said on the Jimmy Kimmel show : "Even if he is fighting fighters that aren't meant to be good enough, they should still be beating him but they can't. He is beating people that he shouldn't really be beating so you have to give him credit. He is doing good and he is doing things that are great for boxing. This guy has 7 million people following him every time he fights.
"The champions of the world don't have that many people following him so what he is doing for boxing is sensational. No-one should be hating on him, what this kid is doing they should be following him. He is helping everybody get money so why are people mad at him?"
