By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing
Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has been offered $1 million to fight Aussie heavyweights Paul Gallen, Barry Hall or Sonny Bill Williams in Australia by Melbourne-based promoter Brian Amatruda.
“I’d hold it at Melbourne Arena where we’d get over 10,000 or even Princes Park where they got 30,000 for Jeff Fenech versus Azumah Nelson,” Amatruda said to Daily Mail. “He might be 53 years old but he’s still a huge name and any of those blokes Hall, Gallen or Sonny Bill would jump at the chance to get into the ring with him. I’d make it part of a card with a world title fight for Tayla (Harris) on it. It would be enormous. Not just a fight, it would be an event!”
It annoys me that people are offering him money to fight
If you still want to see retired, past their prime fighters fight, then you’re not a fan just a sadist
Australian fans deserve better than these kind of promoters shady get rich quick schemes. Footy players against people who retired decades ago. Mike, you’re a legend. Keep your health and stay retired. Australian promoters… back your up and comers and grow the sport in the long term.
Take note. The promoter, Brian Amatruda, should have his promoters license revoked, and should be banned from boxing for life. It is precisely this type of conduct that give promoters a bad name. He’s looking to line his pockets without a care in the world for the health and safety of fighters. Lastly, he’s obviously a complete idiot thinking that 1 Million dollars would even be the slightest bit appealing to Mike. Wackjob x 3. Good job Brian, way to make yourself look like a complete fool.
The Tyson mystique has been fooling people for the past 20 years! Even in his 30’s, he would show glimpses of his former self in training and in fights, only to get brutally ko’d by Lennox Lewis and suffer embarrasing losses to Danny Williams and Kevin McBride. In his late teens and early 20’s, not only was he supremely gifted with amazing speed, strength and power, he was laser focused and dedicated to the sport. As his focus waned, so did his dominance in the ring. No human in the history in the sport ever make a succefull comeback beyond 50!
Agree with every thing you said. Tyson was soundly beaten by two journey men I don’t know how many years ago.
When last Tyson been offered a measly $1mil for a fight that everyone will be watching? This would be a major event. Dont low-ball this man
He would definitely whoop Sonny Bill Williams ass
Money talks…
Any promoter who tries to get a 50+year old man in the ring by offering big $$ is a piece of trash. As someone noted already, they are trying to line their pockets at the expense of those men’s health.
After don kings cut tyson would receive $26
the actual plan is for him ,to do 3 rounds exhibitions
Really? Why are people flipping out in the comments? I would pay to watch an exhibition with Tyson, even a slightly aggressive sparring match. An actual fight? No.
Yes. that was the original plan, but it sounds like promoters are trying to lure him into taking actual fights. There are prolly a few tomater cans Tyson can beat, but he’s not beating anyone of note.
A focused, in shape Mike Tyson at 53 could do anything he wanted.
but with all the weed he’s been smoking it would take 6 months to pass a piss test
No he can’t. Not in the ring anyway
Promoters, the used car salesman’s of boxing. ScumBags who ruin this once great sport.
The sad part is that Mike may most likely take the fight and even if he wins, might think he’s ready for the big time. Sad indeed.
Everything about this article is a black eye to the sport. Trying to pull bodies out of a grave for chump change is disgusting and callous.
Black Eye to the sport? The judges have done more to ruin the sport than anything.
Reminds me of the aborted comeback of Razor Ruddock; who looked terrible in getting KO’d by a journeyman. Very bad for a guy like Mike a known drug user in the past & heavy pot smoker to fight in anything but an exhibition. Hopkins was an exception as he never drank or smoked since becoming a pro boxer. True I was worried when BHop fought Kovalev….
Lol, 5 million minimum, Lol
Tyson Didn’t want to fight when he was still fighting. What makes anyone think he wants to fight Now???
I feel ashamed to be Australian when crap like this comes up. Put that money into building up careers of young Hungary Aus boxers.
If they want to do an exhibition ( headgear,large gloves) go ahead ……to see Tyson in OZ would be great but a proper fight …….I think we’ll be right without that sort of business.
Maybe Tyson can rematch Douglas or Holyfield or Holmes. Or finally fight Foreman
Dear Mr. Tyson:
You were a great fighter, and the world will remember your great achievements for a lifetime. You have nothing else to prove. Please stay retired, sit in the shade, sip some fine wine and enjoy watching the young guns attempt reaching your great boxing accomplishments. I submit this with deep concern and great, mad respect.
This is a bit disturbing. This cannot really be about competition so there is something of a sadistic aspect to it. In any case, I don’t want to see Mike take more punishment but if he needs the money, he might go for it.