Bermane Stiverne vs Mike Tyson

[ReggieDiggs]

Don King is saying if Bermane beats Deontay this weekend he intends to try to make a fight vs Mike Tyson. Obviously seems like a long shot, but I suppose if there is a high enough number on the check anyone is capable of a comeback fight in the boxing world even if their 48 & have been out of the game for almost a decade.

This is ironic for me personally cuz I was just watching a video where Mike & Larry were talking about their fight & Larry basically said he had zero interesting in fighting Mike til the $4 million purse got brought up. And he made a similar remark about Muhammad probably feeling the same until a $10 million purse got brought up to fight Larry. Anyone think Mike could come back for one more fight despite good odds to lose & not really feeling it for a nice enough purse?

Plus this would be a potentially historic fight with Mike becoming the oldest HW champion to add to his youngest HW champion status already if he should find some way to win. I don't think I've heard too many, youngest AND oldest, stats in boxing.

[ReggieDiggs]

Don King is saying if Bermane beats Deontay this weekend he intends to try to make a fight vs Mike Tyson. Obviously seems like a long shot, but I suppose if there is a high enough number on the check anyone is capable of a comeback fight in the boxing world even if their 48 & have been out of the game for almost a decade.

This is ironic for me personally cuz I was just watching a video where Mike & Larry were talking about their fight & Larry basically said he had zero interesting in fighting Mike til the $4 million purse got brought up. And he made a similar remark about Muhammad probably feeling the same until a $10 million purse got brought up to fight Larry. Anyone think Mike could come back for one more fight despite good odds to lose & not really feeling it for a nice enough purse?

Plus this would be a potentially historic fight with Mike becoming the oldest HW champion to add to his youngest HW champion status already if he should find some way to win. I don't think I've heard too many, youngest AND oldest, stats in boxing.

Would the WBC really sanction a voluntary defence for Stiverne to defend his belts against:
• A man that (by the time the fight occurred) would be 49 years old
• Has a history of mental problems and drug abuse
• Has been inactive for more than a decade
• Scoring only one win in almost 14 years
• Has been knocked out in three of his previous four bouts
• Was stopped in a mismatch against Lennox Lewis
• Has been KO’d in his previous two bouts against journeymen... and actually quit during his final bout

How on earth could anyone in their right mind justify that?

I wouldn't be all that shocked with anything the WBC did in a money situation. They make more money on multiple champions than 1 champion so there are multiple belts. They make more money on name guys fighting for their titles therefore Floyd doesn't fight mandatories unless he wants to. I don't see anything all that shocking here from the WBC angle. I bet like 4 guys will write a angry letter to them if this came to pass & thats about the extent of the downside for them.

[MachoTime]

Don King is also 83 years old and could be in the beginning stages of Dementia. He might think it's the late 80's or early 90's. Or when Tyson got out of jail.

[ReggieDiggs]

Don King is also 83 years old and could be in the beginning stages of Dementia

Lol this is a legit concern.

[HomicideHenry]

If Tyson ever came back, we all have to admit that we would watch... and that's the problem... long as there is interest in Tyson, and long as Tyson looks like he's in decent shape, there will always be that glimmer of hope... It's safe to assume, we look at him with the same mystique and nostalgic feelings that those in the early 20th century had for Jim Jeffries.

Would I like to see Tyson come back? Sure. But within reason. I'd like to see him face the 40 and over club. I'd like to see him face some journeymen. But no one with any real ability or youth to them. No one wants to see their heroes be beaten to a bloody pulp. I already witnessed that with Lewis. I already seen him crumble mentally and emotionally to the likes of Kevin McBride.

If he came back, it would be because Tyson A) really needed the money, B) had something to prove. Guys who have something to prove will have marginal success. Guys who are in it for the money, you get what you expect. Maybe Tyson would come back, for the sake of boxing one more time--- so he could go out with a win, and put his demons behind him. He's said for over a decade that he never did love boxing to begin with, and that he did it because Cus wanted him to, etc. so if he came back, it would be because he found a new found love or respect for boxing.

[chucktaylor]

Tyson was the baddest man on the planet, but Don King is the most nostalgic, plus he's getting to an age where most people don't even know what day it is or who all these Asian women are coming into their assisted living apartment giving them pills and helping them go to the bathroom. No one should be bothered that he isn't making sense at this point, he's actually doing well for his age.

[Noxy]

That won't happen, no way.

[Roars Like Me]

Really you believe that he means it. Sensationalism is what King's all about, all tongue in cheek, of course he doesn't mean it.

[SteveO]

this would be a potentially historic fight with Mike becoming the oldest HW champion to add to his youngest HW champion status already if he should find some way to win.

Now wouldn't that be something! I guess Mike could possibly be tempted if there were enough $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$'s involved.

[Rexob]

Can't wait for this should be great!

[Tony1244]

Don King is also 83 years old and could be in the beginning stages of Dementia. He might think it's the late 80's or early 90's. Or when Tyson got out of jail.

I was about to say the same. If King wasn't joking, he has alzheimer's or some form of dementia.

[ReggieDiggs]

Really you believe that he means it. Sensationalism is what King's all about, all tongue in cheek, of course he doesn't mean it.

This is boxing. George Foreman was out for a decade & came back. Sugar Ray had numerous retirements. Virgil Hill is making a comeback at 51 next month. Sh!t I could mention fake retirements or comebacking old guys all day.

I got no doubt in my mind there is a check with enough space for numbers on it that would meet Mike's requirements to get into the ring again. If Don or anyone else has access to those numbers is really the only question.

[montrealsuper]

If Tyson says now, King will tap the shoulder of Holmes and Foreman next.

Seriously, this is typical King Modus Operandi. He's done this before, McCall vs. Holmes, Tyson-Holmes, Holmes-Ali. Using an old great name as an "opponent" to build up the marquee value of his new fighter. If Tyson can get into shape and put up a good fight, Stiverne will become a star. Right now Stiverne is as popular as the Patriots reserve right guard. Stiverne is a very good fighter but totally unknown.

Tyson and Stiverne met at the WBC function recently and it was an interesting handshake. Tyson was very short with Stiverne, it almost looked like he was sizing him up and will fight him. There may be a video of it. Tyson is usually friendly with current fighters but he looked competitive with Stiverne when they were face to face. he also looked like a middleweight next to Stiverne, Mike has shrunk considerably. We'll see.

[Roars Like Me]

Mmmm are you sure he's not saying this instead in reality?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/boxing/30859599