Boxing legend Mike Tyson to be offered ‘over $20million’ to fight in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, with 43-year-old Wanderlei Silva named as potential opponent
Mike Tyson is set to be offered more than $20million to compete in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, according to reports.
The 53-year-old boxing legend how been showing off his transformation and new physique as he aims to come out of retirement.
A trilogy exhibition fight with old foe Evander Holyfield has been widely mooted, with 57-year-old Holyfield also getting back in shape.
The American fighter, who beat Tyson twice during the 1990s, has even enlisted the help of former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko to get him ready for his comeback.
But it appears Iron Mike will have not shortage of offers as he gears up for making his return to the ring 15 years after his last professional bout.
Rumours of a possible MMA fight ramped up this weekend, as Tyson was pictured training with UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo and former UFC light-heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort.
And, according to , the BKFC are currently devising a contract that will exceed €20million to tempt Tyson into bare knuckle fighting.
BKFC are already said to have offered Tyson $20m to fight in their competition, which he rejected.
But the company’s president David Feldman has not given up and will return with an improved offer for the boxing legend next week.
UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz, 45, has been sounded out as a potential opponent for Tyson, with claims a member of Tyson’s camp had asked the MMA fighter about a possible match.
But Feldman has poured cold water on those claims, saying 43-year-old Brazilian Wanderlei Silva, former UFC fighter and PRIDE champion in Japan, is a more desirable opponent.
“I didn’t offer that (to Ortiz),” Feldman said.
“I don’t know that it really draws. I think a Wanderlei Silva, someone of that nature. No matter how old Silva gets, he’s dangerous, and I think that would be an intriguing matchup. Something like that, but I don’t actually have anything in mind right now.
“First, I want to see if we can make the Mike thing happen, period, and then we’ll start talking opponents.
“We’re not successful yet in making that Mike thing happen, but I don’t think the door’s shut.
“He did say no immediately. But I think there’s room there.”