Evander Holyfield is no longer interested in a third fight with Mike Tyson.
The legendary heavyweight duo met in a 1996 fight that ended in a TKO victory for Evander Holyfield, who became just the second person to beat ‘Iron Mike’ after Buster Douglas.
A year later, Mike Tyson spoiled his chance at revenge when he was infamously disqualified for taking a chunk of his opponent’s ear in the third round of their rematch.
Almost three decades later, the two men have put aside their differences to become friends, but that hasn’t stopped them from talking up a potential trilogy clash.
Evander Holyfield vs Mike Tyson 3?
Holyfield ended his decade-long retirement for a fight with UFC star Vitor Belfort in 2021, and it ended in disaster as he was quickly knocked out by ‘The Phenom’
More recently, Tyson fought professionally for the first time since 2005 when he squared off against Jake Paul, who is 31 years his junior, in a fight that attracted 60 million people to Netflix.
Holyfield immediately called out Tyson after his decision defeat to Paul
“The fans want it! #UnfinishedBusiness” he posted.
Tyson responded: “I love you brother, but the trilogy is our friendship.”
‘The Real Deal’ now accepts that they will never complete their trilogy in the ring.
“After years of talkin’ about it, one last dance might’ve been nice… but Mike’s right—the trilogy is our friendship and respect,” Holyfield wrote on Instagram.
“We’ve both punched our way to greatness, but it’s the respect we’ve earned that keeps the fight alive. The fans have spoken—no need for gloves to keep this friendship strong! 🥊💯 But it is 🦆season 😂 Just Kidding.”
Will Mike Tyson ever fight again?
Mike Tyson suggested he would fight on by immediately calling out Logan Paul after losing against his younger brother earlier this month.
A little time later, the 58-year-old shared a social media statement that delved into the near-fatal medical issue that canceled his initial comeback date.
Within it, there was a strong hint that he will now retire for good.
“This is one of those situations when you lost but still won,” he wrote on X. “I’m grateful for last night.
“No regrets to get in ring one last time. I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions.
“Lost half my blood and 25lb in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won. To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you.”