The boxing world has been buzzing with the revelation that Mike Tyson, now 58, reportedly demanded a staggering $500 million payday for a potential exhibition fight with Tyson Fury. According to Fury, discussions about the bout took place over a Zoom call, but the financial expectations from ‘Iron Mike’ ultimately derailed any plans for the two heavyweights to share the ring.
Tyson Fury, known as ‘The Gypsy King,’ recently spoke with IFL TV about the discussions between him and the former heavyweight champion. “There was talk of it,” Fury revealed. “His people contacted me. Mike and I had a phone call. It was all real but never materialized.” Fury explained that while he was open to the exhibition fight, the money Tyson sought was far beyond what was being offered.
“Mike was talking about $500 million figures, but what came back to us on paper was a joke. It was crazy,” Fury continued. Despite receiving a $10 million offer from ESPN for the fight, Fury believes the opportunity has now passed. “I think everyone has moved on now,” he added.
Fury acknowledged that an exhibition bout against a boxing legend like Mike Tyson would have been an exciting opportunity. However, he also pointed out the inherent risks. “I would have loved to share the ring with him and move around,” Fury said. “But if he had won, then people would have said I was rubbish because a 53-year-old beat me. If I had beaten him, then I would have been a bully. It was a lose-lose situation for me.”
The idea of a match between a current heavyweight champion and a retired boxing icon certainly intrigued fans, but the risks and Tyson’s financial demands made it a non-starter. While the fight never came to fruition, Fury went on to secure notable victories, including a high-profile rematch with Deontay Wilder and bouts against Dillian Whyte, Derek Chisora, and Francis Ngannou.
While the fight with Fury is off the table, Mike Tyson is gearing up for a return to the ring on November 15. He will face off against Jake Paul in an exhibition match at the AT&T Arena in Arlington, Texas. This marks Tyson’s first fight since his 2020 exhibition bout against fellow boxing legend Roy Jones Jr.
Despite being out of professional competition since 2005, when he lost to Kevin McBride, Tyson remains determined to make a statement with this latest match. He recently shared his intense training routine during an interview with Jimmy Kimmel, claiming to train six hours a day. “I am training extremely hard, I do six hours a day. I start at 11 am and might leave the gym at 5 pm,” he said.
Kimmel, surprised by Tyson’s schedule, humorously asked about the long training hours. The interview took a more lighthearted turn when Tyson hinted at being “high off life” during the fight, even suggesting that he might use marijuana, a nod to his well-documented love for cannabis.
The news of Tyson’s fight with Jake Paul has drawn mixed reactions from boxing fans. Some are excited to see the former champion back in the ring, while others question the seriousness of the matchup. Critics believe that Tyson’s high-profile bout with a YouTuber-turned-boxer like Paul is more about entertainment than true competition.
While some fans are skeptical, others are eager to see if Tyson still has the power and skills that made him one of the most feared fighters in boxing history. The build-up to the November 15 fight is expected to generate significant attention, with both Tyson and Paul known for their ability to draw headlines.
As Tyson Fury prepares for his own challenges, including a highly anticipated rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, his focus is on avoiding back-to-back losses after suffering the first defeat of his professional career earlier this year. For ‘The Gypsy King,’ the possibility of a showdown with Mike Tyson is now in the past, but he remains a dominant force in the current heavyweight division.
Mike Tyson, meanwhile, continues to command attention, even as he navigates the later years of his career. Whether or not his fight with Jake Paul lives up to the hype, it’s clear that Tyson’s legacy in boxing is secure. The exhibition match promises to be an entertaining spectacle, giving fans a chance to see a boxing legend in action once more.
The idea of a Mike Tyson vs. Tyson Fury exhibition bout was tantalizing, but ultimately, the lofty financial expectations and risks involved made it impossible. While the world won’t see the clash between the two Tysons, boxing enthusiasts have plenty to look forward to with upcoming fights on both fronts. As the buzz continues, fans will watch closely to see what unfolds next in the careers of these two giants of the sport.
