As BoxingScene.com previously reported, former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is considering the possibility of returning to the ring – to take part in exhibition bouts to raise money for charity.
Tyson set the internet on fire a few days ago, when he posted a training video – showcasing his speed and power.
After watching that video clip, Melbourne boxing promoter Brian Amatruda immediately got on the phone to arrange a charity bout between the 53-year-old Tyson and one of Australia’s footballers-turned-boxers Barry Hall, Paul Gallen or Sonny Bill Williams.
Amatruda has promoted cards featuring the likes of Anthony Mundine, Danny Green, Lucas Browne, Sam Soliman and up-and-coming AFLW player-turned fighter Tayla Harris.
He believes a charity fight involving Tyson could fill the biggest arenas in Australia – which is why he quickly pitched an offer of $1 million to secure Tyson for an event.
“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 on it. It would be enormous. Not just a fight, it would be an event.
“The first thing I did was contact (celebrity agent) Max Markson and ask him to offer Tyson $1 million. Max brought him to Australia in 2012. He gets on well with him and his wife but the main thing is that he got him a visa to get into the country back then and that’s the key.
“We’d have to wait until the coronavirus shutdowns are over of course so the fight probably wouldn’t be until early next year – as long as we can get the visa. They gave him one in 2012 and he was fine, he’s a quiet family man now. He didn’t cause any trouble then, so why shouldn’t they let him back in?”
Tyson retired from the sport in 2005, after suffering a stoppage loss to Kevin McBride.
–boxingscene.com
