He could not stay on this image, that of a boxer on the ground, groggy, seated, literally in the ropes. It would not have been worthy of a legend. Of its legend. Fifteen years after his last fight, and his defeat by K.-O. facing Kevin McBride, of which it will remain the only fact of glory, Mike Tyson will go up in a ring. It is now a certainty!
The interested party, who will celebrate his 54th birthday on June 30, assured him himself, Saturday, during an interview he gave to rapper Lil Wayne in the program Young Money Radio. "I am in the best shape of my life," he said. The millions of fans around the world who have seen the videos Tyson has posted on social media for the past two weeks are also convinced of this.
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Anything is possible when you are smart about it. Smart train. Recover Smarter. @smartcups #SmartCups #baddestmanontheplanet #stillthebaddestmanontheplanet @tysonranchofficial @coppergel #tysonranch SmartCups.com
A post shared by Mike Tyson (@miketyson) on May 11, 2020 at 10:14 am PDT
"Tyson is making the whole world dream, with Mohamed Ali he has marked the history of heavyweights," affirms Michel Acariès, the most famous of French boxing promoters between 1983 and 2009. He is an extraordinary character. As an organizer I would have dreamed of bringing him back to the ring. I do not know if it will be for real fight but that makes speak about boxing. "Simple fight, real exhibition, there is a big doubt, far from being lifted.
Holyfield for a remake?
If the opponent is not yet known, the name of his eternal rival Evander Holyfield, 57, returns with insistence for a remake which would however have the appearance of a tour of old glories. "Iron Mike", contrary to his habits in the ring, decided to make the suspense last and was content to explain that he was "spoiled for choice". Whatever the poster, the duel could be scheduled in Saudi Arabia from July.
In these times of sports scarcity, these are two of the biggest stars of American and world sport of the 1980s and 90s who are talking about them: Michael Jordan, via a documentary on Netflix, and Mike Tyson.
His return excites some, leaves others puzzled. "We like it or not, but it leaves no one indifferent," smiles Jean-Marc Mormeck, former world champion in light heavyweight in the early 2000s. "It's a magnificent publicity stunt for boxing, that also share a noble intention because the money will be donated to charity but I am not a fan of seeing former boxers back in the ring, loose Julien "Bobo" Lorcy, former WBA light world champion. Boxing is a sport apart, it is a fight, not a game. It is not an exhibition. "
Charles Biétry: "Tyson is no longer a boxer"
A sentiment shared by Charles Biétry, a great lover of noble art. "Fighting a real fight would be a joke," said the former director of sports for Canal + from 1984 to 1998. At 54, you don't do a real fight, especially in heavy vehicles where a blow is a deadly danger. It is not because we are shown a video of a few seconds that we can talk about boxing. Physically it is good, it looks like a video, but it is not a fight. Mike Tyson is no longer a boxer and did not have a life to box at this age. "
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Miss me with all that 😤😂 #toadmode #vintagetyson #tbt
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On the other hand, the former president of PSG "would get up at night" to see the multiple world heavyweight champion in the ring for an exhibition "of 4 rounds of 3 minutes". “There is no lie, unlike the fight between Mayweather and Mc Gregor which was rigged, continues Biétry. An exhibition would be perfect. Those who saw his one man show ( Editor's note: Tyson went on stage in the United States in 2012 to tell his life ) saw that he was not just a boxer. I would love to see him against Tyson Fury ( WBC heavyweight world champion after winning the title in other organizations ), together they would make a wonderful show. "
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For Mormeck, on the contrary, Tyson sees further, higher. "He played well by evoking an exhibition but I think it's a hidden way of saying he is coming back," said the boxer, 37 victories in 43 fights. If the public responds, they will want more. Foreman was a champion at 45. Tyson was the youngest heavyweight world champion ( at 20 ), why wouldn't he want to be the oldest? This would add a line to its legend. I'm curious to see the fight. Nothing is impossible with him. "
Fabrice Tiozzo believes in it
World champion nine times, Fabrice Tiozzo "fully understands" Tyson's decision. He too had attempted a comeback five years after his first retirement. An aborted attempt due to a retinal detachment. "The climb to the ring is a unique feeling, you have to live it to understand," explains the interested party, 51, now a consultant on Canal +. When you've been in the spotlight, experienced adrenaline, been world champion, you want to rediscover all these sensations. At his age, it may not be ideal to put the gloves back on but it is his right. I would have given several years of my life to go back to the ring. It still itched 3 or 4 years ago. When you have been a great champion like him, you can become him again. "
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