Mike Tyson delivered six-word rejection to new exhibition fight offer
The former heavyweight world champion recently made a stunning return to the ring against Jake Paul – suffering an agonising unanimous decision defeat
Chris Eubank Sr has revealed former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson was quick to shoot down his request for an exhibition bout.
The 58-year-old – a former middleweight and super-middleweight world champion – made his professional debut back in 1985. During the peak of his powers, Eubank Sr defeated the likes of Nigel Benn, Henry Wharton and Lindell Holmes. However, he retired from the sport in 1998 having lost to Joe Calzaghe before suffering back-to-back defeats by Carl Thompson.
Eubank Sr hasn’t stepped foot in the squared-circle since. However, soon after hanging up his gloves, he sensationally asked Tyson if he was open to fighting him in an exhibition contest. That said, the Brit was immediately put back in his place after Tyson delivered a six-word response.
“Mike Tyson is my hero, I always say I have one regret in boxing and that is Michael Watson,” Eubank Sr said during a fan Q&A on his YouTube channel. “But there is another regret I have. When I was thinking or in that energy of money I had retired, this was 2000 and… I don’t even know.
“And I had asked Mike for a chance to fight him in an exhibition match and Mike, his response put me right back into my place and will always have me in my place. Mike said to me, so I’m going to impersonate him, ‘Come on man, you’re my friend.’ Wow. Shameful, shameful, that is what happens when you are chasing money. I wasn’t evolved at that time, I was still trapped in the game, get money, get, get. Wow.”
Tyson announced his retirement from boxing in 2005 after suffering a defeat to Kevin McBride. That said, he took on fellow legend Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition clash four years ago. Much to the surprise of many within the boxing community, the 58-year-old returned to the professional ring last month against Jake Paul.
