Home Columns Holyfield: Tyson trilogy must happen, no more excuses

Holyfield: Tyson trilogy must happen, no more excuses

Holyfield eyeing third showdown with Tyson

December 2, 2020

Evander Holyfield has called out former rival Mike Tyson for a trilogy Photo Credit: AP Photo

Evander Holyfield has sensationally called out Mike Tyson for a trilogy.

Tyson, 54, ended a 15-year lay-off, to secure a draw with Roy Jones Jr in their eagerly-anticipated exhibition clash at the Staples Center on Saturday night, which reportedly did over £1m pay-per-view buys.

Holyfield beat Tyson in successive battles in 1996 and 1997, with ‘Iron Mike’ infamously disqualified for biting part of his rival’s ear off in their second clash.

‘The Real Deal,’ who has been linked to a return after posting a series of training videos on social media has claimed that Tyson avoided a third fight with him and it now must happen.

“My side tried to make the fight happen and we got nothing but excuses,” Holyfield said.

“Now I can see why he wanted a tune-up fight before thinking about fighting me.”

Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr ended in a draw. Both men posed after the bout with their belts following their split draw decision. CREDIT: USA TODAY SPORTS

“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.”

Former undisputed Heavyweight champion, Tyson said he will continue to compete in exhibitions and has urged Holyfield to speak to him personally to arrange a trilogy, insisting that his representatives have prevented a showdown.

“Maybe Evander needs to talk to me because every time my business associates talk to his business associates, it doesn’t turn out well,” Tyson said.

“If you could see what we made tonight, if these guys really cared about the welfare of Evander, they would’ve had this fight with Evander.

Tyson was infamously disqualified for biting a part of Holyfield's ear off in their rematch Photo Credit: Reuters — Tyson was infamously disqualified for biting a part of Holyfield’s ear off in their rematch Photo Credit: Reuters

“Or maybe they could do another. Whoever he’s with is handling it totally wrong.”

Holyfield has been retired for over nine years since stopping Brian Nielsen in Copenhagen in 2011 and remains the only boxer to reign as undisputed champion in two weight classes.