Evander Holyfield urges Mike Tyson to make ‘no more excuses’ in trying to avoid trilogy heavyweight bout as he tells rival ‘this is the fight that must happen for both our legacies’
Evander Holyfield has hit out at his old heavyweight rival Mike Tyson for trying to duck a trilogy fight and to stop making excuses.
Despite both being in their 50s, there has been hope that the pair would step in the ring against each other again after Tyson came out of retirement to face Roy Jones Jr in November.
Tyson had tongues wagging when he impressed in that eight-round exhibition on November 28 – a contest that ended in a draw, although many felt that ‘Iron Mike’ had won.
Evander Holyfield (left) has called out Mike Tyson for trying to avoid a trilogy fight against him
Tyson impressed against Roy Jones Jr during their eight-round exhibition on November 28
It was the 54-year-old’s first fight in 15 years following his initial retirement in 2005
It was the American’s first contest in 15 years since retiring in 2005 and clamour for him to face Holyfield once again instantly grew afterwards.
Speaking post-fight, Tyson revealed that he had initially been in talks to face the 58-year-old for months but that bout never materialised.
But Holyfield has called out Tyson once again, claiming that he is the one being swerved after repeated attempts to go toe-to-toe with his compatriot.
‘My side tried to make the fight happen and we got nothing but excuses,’ he said in a recent public statement.
‘Now I can see why he wanted a tune-up fight before thinking about fighting me.
‘Roy Jones was a good local opponent for Mike, but a fight with me would be a global event and the only fight that anyone wants to see is a fight between us.
‘There is absolutely no reason why we shouldn’t make it happen.
‘No more excuses. This is the fight that must happen for both our legacies. Sign the contract and get in the ring, Tyson. The world is waiting and it’s on you now. I’m ready.’
Holyfield, 58, believes his old rival is trying to avoid a third fight and told him ‘no more excuses’
Holyfield, who hasn’t boxed since beating Brian Nielsen in 2011, fought Tyson twice during their professional careers – coming out on top both times.
The pair had signed a deal to fight each other in November 1991 but it wasn’t until five years later that they actual traded shots.
In 1996, Tyson was the heavy favourite and WBA heavyweight world champion but suffered a TKO at the hands of Holyfield in the 11th round.
The pair fought again in a rematch just seven months later – one that ended in wild controversy. Historically known as ‘The Bite Fight’, Tyson was disqualified after biting off a piece of Holyfield’s right ear.
Holyfield beat Tyson in both previous fights as professionals – the first coming in 1996 via TKO
The rematch in 1997 saw Tyson disqualified for biting off a piece of Holyfield’s right ear