Mike Tyson turned down $35 million for a third fight with Evander Holyfield

In a recent Golzka report, Evander Holyfield was quoted as saying that former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson turned down the opportunity to have a third fight in the ring. Holyfield denied ongoing rumors of a third meeting with Tyson. He claims promoter Don King spoke with Tyson and tried to persuade him to return with an offer of $35 million dollars, but Tyson turned it down.

Holyfield, who knocked out Tyson in 1996 and beat him by disqualification in the 1997 rematch, says a third fight will never happen because Tyson has zero interest in fighting again.

"Don [King] thinks he can persuade Mike on this, but Mike will not return to the ring just for the sake of money. His heart no longer belongs to boxing, and it requires a lot of courage to give up $35 million. They were talking about another fight, and said that each of us can make up to $35 million. It takes a lot of courage and character to refuse an offer like that. I will always respect him for that," Holyfield said.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=31056

Praise Odin.

Old Mike would have taken that payday and mailed it in.

I don't know if it's stupid or not to turn that kind of money down given his financial situation, but if it's not in his heart to do it, major props to him for not taking it.

Maybe the guy is finally getting right in his head and heart. Would be a great thing to see given the circus we have all witnessed since 1987 or so.

Are talking about recently Ali? There's no way in hell King could make a $35 million offer to Tyson in 2010. It must have been back in the day.

Eh I don't know how two shot HWs could genrate a 35 Million because this fight generates no intrest. Tyson doesn't need the money anyhow. Even when he was bankrupt he was rolling with Gs in his pockets. Tyson Invested in Death Row when it was big and got a lot of money off it. The man is set for life.

Ring wrote:

Are talking about recently Ali? There's no way in hell King could make a $35 million offer to Tyson in 2010. It must have been back in the day.

I don't think it was that long ago, maybe a year or two. You forget this fight would generate interest all around the world even though both are well past there primes, you'd have people in Arabia who'd pay ridiculous money just to stage it.

He isn't broke, but he could use the money.

Mike's appearance in The Hangover should at least generate some new paychecks.