Fijivillage
18 February, 2026, 11:03 pm
Central - 24°C Clouds
18 February, 2026, 11:03 pm Central - 24°C Clouds

Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield prepared to face former rival Mike Tyson

Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield prepared to face former rival Mike Tyson

By Semi Turaga
26/05/2020
Evander Holyfield raises his fist after defeating Mike Tyson in their WBA heavyweight championship bout at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas in 1996. [Image: TVNZ]

Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield has confirmed he is prepared to face former rival Mike Tyson in a trilogy fight for charity – but there’s a catch.

Tyson who is now 53 and Holyfield who is now 57 faced off in two epic bouts throughout their professional careers with the 1997 fight remembered for ‘Iron Mike’ biting a chunk off of his rival’s ear.

However, Holyfield came out on top both times, which is why he’s only willing to agree to a third bout if Tyson is the one who asks for it to be set up.

Holyfield told the BBC "If I ask him it's almost like me being a bully saying I want to go against somebody I've beaten twice,"

He says "I don't want pressure on me that, 'You just want to fight Mike because you know you can beat him.'

Holyfield adds "If he hits me, I'm going to hit back. I'm going to be 58, he'll be 54. You talk about being in good health and doing things the proper way that respects it. I don't have no problem with it."

Tyson has made headlines in recent weeks after releasing several training videos showing the amazing shape he is in, fuelling speculation he could be returning to the ring.

Holyfield then went and added to the situation when he announced his return for a charity bout on Instagram earlier this month.

Tyson, the first heavyweight to hold the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles, retired after a loss to Kevin McBride in 2005, while Holyfield called time on his career nine years later.

If they do return, they will be following in the footsteps of Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao in coming out of retirement for an exhibition fight.

TVNZ

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
Bainimarama and Qiliho charged with inciting mutiny
Former Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner, Sitiveni Qiliho have been charged with inciting mutiny, and will spend the n...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Ramadan to start this Friday
The moon for Ramadan has not been sighted, and the Fiji Muslim League confirms fasting will now begin this Friday. Speaking to fijivillage News, ...
49 minutes ago

Ramadan to start this Friday
The moon for Ramadan has not been sighted, and the Fiji Muslim League confirms fasting will now begin this Friday.Speaking to fijivillage News, Mufti ...
2 hours ago

Six students questioned over Galoa bullying case
Six students have been questioned and released by police following an alleged bullying incident in Galoa Village, Serua. Police confirm that ...
4 hours ago

Waqanika and Bainivalu pleased with discussions; JSC to meet again on 25 March
Following a meeting with the Judicial Services Commission, chaired by Chief Justice Salesi Temo, the counsel of sacked FICAC Commissioner, Barbara ...
4 hours ago

Bainimarama and Qiliho charged with inciting mutiny
Bainimarama and Qiliho charged with inciting mutinyFormer Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner, Sitiveni Qiliho have ...
4 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Minister ready to repay business class air fare for wife as concerns grow about Sports Council deals
I was invited to travel to New Zealand by the Fiji Sports Council for a grassroots 7s tournament in 2024, I travelled business class but it was ...
12 days ago

Malimali and others filed for judicial review into COI
The application for leave for the judicial review has been made by former FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali, former Attorney General Graham Leung ...
13 days ago

Malimali’s legal battle against President, PM and AG
Another legal battle starts today as sacked FICAC Commissioner, Barbara Malimali takes her matter to court against the President, Prime Minister and ...
13 days ago

TOP