Evander Holyfield claims he is open to fighting either Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe or Lennox Lewis should he return to boxing for a charity bout.
The 57-year-old American wants to return to the ring some nine years after his last professional fight.
The former heavyweight champ wants to return to the ring this year for an exhibition fight after having retired in 2011.
"What was your initial thought when Tyson bit your ear off." –@PatMcAfeeShow
— Pat McAfee Show Quotes (@Patmcafeequotes) May 28, 2020
"My first thought was to bite him back, I’ve never been so mad in my life." –@holyfield pic.twitter.com/4LQ8Zyqc84
Holyfield had upset the odds to knock out Iron Mike in eight months earlier in Las Vegas to win the WBA heavyweight belt but their rematch is infamously known as the ‘Bite Fight’ after Tyson was disqualified for twice biting the champion’s ear in the third round.
He reiterated that he would like to fight Tyson for a third time, but also mentioned Lennox Lewis and Riddick Bowe as other possible opponents.
Holyfield told The Times: “It’s better you do it with people who have been around like you.
“I don’t want to go and fight someone trying to make a name for themselves.
“People want to see me and [Riddick] Bowe, of course, Mike Tyson and maybe Lennox [Lewis], that would be good. I’ll spar with anyone.”
Holyfield fought Bowe on three occasions, losing twice, while he also failed to beat Lewis on two occasions.
And the retired boxer, who has been training alongside Wladimir Klitschko, claims he would prefer any fight arranged to be a three-round fight.
He added: “Look, we are going three rounds. It’s not ten or 15. Maybe there’ll be headgear.
“My intention is not to knock someone out, but you’ve got 16oz gloves and you get good shots in sparring too.”
“I look after myself. I’m OK with head shots. You better believe that if he goes at my head I’m going at his. I’m going to be shooting at his head anyway with jabs,” He added.
“The difference is if I hurt him I’m not going to rush in and try and get him out of there. I’ll pull back. This is a way for me to talk to young people.”
