Mike Tyson is reportedly considering a comeback to the ring for a rematch with his old rival, Evander Holyfield. Tyson’s retirement following a highly publicized defeat to Jake Paul in a Netflix event seemed to signal the end of his boxing career, but reports now suggest that he might be gearing up for another fight.
The two first clashed in the 1990s, with their rivalry becoming infamous after Tyson bit off part of Holyfield’s ear during their 1997 rematch.
The latest claim comes from actor and martial arts expert Paulo Tocha, who has insight into Tyson’s possible plans. Tocha, best known for his role in Bloodsport alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme, shared his thoughts on Tyson‘s return to the ring. According to Tocha, Tyson has hinted at facing Holyfield again, despite having been retired for a period.
Tyson’s potential comeback
Paulo Tocha, who has connections to Tyson’s inner circle, revealed that the Brooklyn-born boxer has been contemplating a return to the sport.
“At the end [of the Paul fight], he kind of let us know there’s another one coming,” Tocha explained. “Most probably it’s going to be Evander after all. He and Evander – after what happened to his ear and all that. So most probably it’ll be something like that.”
Despite Tyson‘s lackluster performance against Jake Paul, which many fans criticized, Tocha believes the match served as a critical warm-up for the former champion.
“I thought it was a good show, a warm-up for Tyson,” Tocha stated. “He got to get some rust off of the ring, got to feel himself again, caught himself back again on top.”
For Tyson, who has made a successful transition into the world of business, including a cannabis empire, boxing is more than just about money – it’s also about proving himself once more. Tocha understands that many fans might expect too much from Tyson, especially given his age.
However, he defended the boxer’s legacy and skills, acknowledging that Tyson’s performance at his age could never match the prime days of his youth.
“But you’ve got to understand the fighter’s game, and at that age, you’re not supposed to be in the ring, even if you’re spectacular. It’s just not so good for the brain,” he noted.
“I feel with Tyson, he is exactly in that spot because the audience that’s watching him now doesn’t understand boxing from the old days.
They’ve got no clue. He’s just a new name, a newcomer, and he’s part of a family tradition of fighters who watched Tyson throughout his career. It doesn’t matter when or if it’s raining or snowing or sunshine. It’s Tyson that’s fighting. It’s the name. I love him because of that.”