Mike Tyson has fought some of the best boxers in the world, but he almost went outside of the sport to face one of the most dangerous fighters in the world.
Since his debut in 1985, all the way to Mike Tyson’s planned dream fight with Floyd Mayweather in 2026, “Iron Mike” has never backed down from a fight.
His recent fight against Jake Paul shows he is not afraid to look outside of traditional boxing when picking his opponents, although he suffered defeat to the YouTube star on this occasion.
Back in 2003, a confrontation with a mammoth kickboxer star almost led to a big-money crossover fight between two of the most famous men in America and Japan, respectively.
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Mike Tyson and Bob Sapp almost came to blows before the boxer challenged him to the fight
A monstrous clash between Tyson and Bob Sapp almost came to be in 2003, when the pair faced off inside a K-1 ring in Las Vegas.
Sapp was massive in Japan and is considered a legend in both MMA and kickboxing thanks to the former footballer’s exploits in the ring at the start of his career (although his later career performances left a lot to be desired).
Following Sapp’s victory over Kimo Leopoldo at the K-1 World Grand Prix in 2003, the 330 lb fighter pointed out Tyson in the crowd and called him into the ring.
Tyson was reportedly paid $3 million just to get in the ring, and he didn’t even flinch when Sapp lunged for him as the pair were pulled apart by a gaggle of bodies in between.
The former Heavyweight champion even grabbed the microphone and challenged Sapp then and there to a fight, although he quickly made it clear he would only do so under “Marquess of Queensbury” rules (boxing rules).
Sapp didn’t accept the fight on the night, but it was clear this was supposed to build for a bout down the line in Japan.
Sadly, the pair couldn’t get their ducks in a row to face off, whether due to money issues, struggles deciding which discipline the bout should be, or visa issues for Tyson getting into Japan to fight.
The confrontation came the same month that Tyson declared bankruptcy, despite earning $600 million in his career, and could have helped him with his money troubles had it gone ahead.
That isn’t the last time a fight between Tyson and Sapp would be teased, though.
Bob Sapp challenged Mike Tyson to a fight nearly twenty years later
There was renewed interest in a fight between Sapp and Tyson nearly two decades after their first confrontation.
While a bout was rumored in 2020 before Tyson faced Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition, Sapp came back two years later with a video calling out the former Heavyweight champion.
He challenged him to a rather convoluted-sounding three-on-three boxing match, accusing Tyson of being scared and running from the challenge.
Sapp said: “Mike, now we all know what happened when you and I talked about the fight. I sent you a photo along with this sentence: ‘Mike, if you fight me, I will rip your heart out and tear it to shreds.’ And it still applies.”
“As for you, Mike. I’ve got a challenge for you. Since you stopped running, listen to me for a second. You and me and two of my best fighters vs two of your best fighters.
“Stand up, Marquess of Queensbury Rules. Because you’re too scared to fight one-on-one. I’ll take all of you on, punk boxers. I like little Michael. I like little Michael. That’s my challenge, you know my age. Fight me. Or my crew.”
Tyson ignored the callout and went on to fight Jake Paul in his 2024 comeback fight before signing on to face Floyd Mayweather in 2026.