Evander Holyfield’s manager Kris Lawrence claims Mike Tyson declined a fight offer for Memorial Day weekend.
During a recent episode of his podcast, Mike Tyson announced his return to the squared ring at the “end of May.” According to the 54-year-old boxing legend, the bout will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Tyson didn’t mention any opponent, but one name that’s floated around is his former rival, Evander Holyfield. Holyfield’s team apparently reached out to team Tyson with a $25 million guarantee for a May 29th bout, which they claim was eventually declined.
Holyfield’s manager Kris Lawrence released this official statement (via ESPN):
We thought this was a done deal but it quickly fell apart when Tyson’s people declined all offers. We were negotiating in good faith all along and it appears we just ended up wasting our time.
Tyson and Holyfield already fought twice, with the latter winning both bouts. The first one in 1996 ended by 11th round TKO. The second in 1997 ended in a third-round DQ loss for Tyson in what’s now known as the infamous “Bite Fight.”