Mike Tyson is unquestionably one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all-time, and even casual fans know it.
But as impressive as his 44 knockouts in 50 victories have been, Iron Mike’s losses have been equally disappointing and shocking.
Fresh off a controversial exhibition draw against Roy Jones, Jr., Tyson now has his sights set on his next opponent: a chance to avenge what may be his most infamous losses of all-time.
Tyson Says He’s Ready for Round Two of Comeback Tour
While Tyson didn’t bring home the victory on the official scorecard, he looked remarkably good for his advanced age against Jones, showing off a chiseled physique and frightening power for a 54-year-old.
He also appears ready to handle the punishment that returning to boxing could bring.
“This is where I belong,” said Tyson in his post-fight press conference according to MMA Fighting.
“I never once, even when my first day sparring and I got my rib cracked and a guy was just smashing my jaw, I never once said ‘what the hell am I doing here? Am I crazy?’ I just said I’m in the right place. I said I’m in the right place.”
Tyson believes he has a lot more in the tank, and is ready for round two.
“I say I’ll be better the next one,” said Tyson at the post-fight press conference.
“I could have done everything better. Everything I was doing, I could have done it better. God willing, I’ll be better the next exhibition.”
Iron Mike Reveals Preferred Next Opponent: Evander Holyfield!
On November 9, 1996, Tyson was handed just the second loss in his career by a bigger, stronger fighter named Evander Holyfield.
Thoroughly outboxed by his hulking 6-foot-2 opponent in an 11-round TKO loss, Tyson was able to secure a rematch months.
But he fared even worse in the second matchup, losing by DQ after infamously biting off a portion of Holyfield’s ear.
Despite those rough performances, an undaunted Tyson says he’s ready to settle the score against the Alabama-born legend.
Tyson says Holyfield should contact him directly to set it up, as past efforts have failed.
“Maybe Evander (Holyfield) needs to talk to me because every time my business associates talk to his business associates, it doesn’t turn out well,” Tyson said according to BloodyElbow.com.
“So I don’t know. If you could see what we made tonight, if these guys really care about the welfare of Evander they would have had this fight with Evander.”
Holyfield on Board for “Global Event” vs. Tyson
Saying that a third fight with Tyson would be “a global event and the only fight that anyone wants to see,” the 58-year-old Holyfield said in a news release Tuesday that he’s ready for the fight against Tyson, and there should be “no more excuses” preventing it from happening.
“My side tried to make the fight happen and we got nothing but excuses,” Holyfield said in a news release Tuesday according to ESPN.com.
“Now I can see why he wanted a tune-up fight before thinking about fighting me.
“No more excuses. This is the fight that must happen for both our legacies. Saturday night you said you were ready to fight me, so sign the contract and get in the ring, Tyson.
“The world is waiting and it’s on you now. I’m ready.”
Holyfield hasn’t participated in a sanctioned boxing match in almost ten years, while Saturday’s fight with Jones, Jr. was Tyson’s first in over 15 years.
If all goes well, the bout could be booked for some time in 2021, during which a revitalized Tyson will finally have the chance to avenge his most disappointing loss.
