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Mike Tyson ‘rules out’ ‘insulting’ Aussie offers but SBW wants to fight

Mike Tyson will reportedly only make a comeback to fight a legitimate boxer, not any of the footy stars being thrown into the mix.

Sonny Bill Williams would happily jump in the ring with Mike Tyson, but he might have bigger fish to fry.
Sonny Bill Williams would happily jump in the ring with Mike Tyson, but he might have bigger fish to fry.

Sonny Bill Williams would happily jump in the ring with Mike Tyson, but the former heavyweight champ will only make a sensational ring return to fight “another bona fide boxer.”

Big-money offers and spoof announcements have been flying around the internet since the 53-year-old former heavyweight champion returned to training as an Aussie matchmaker reportedly offered Tyson a $1 million charity bout against Williams, while NRL legend Paul Gallen and AFL great Barry Hall’s names were also tossed up.

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But Tyson may have bigger fish to fry with a mouthwatering third match against old foe Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield shaping as a possibility — among many other offers.

A USA bare-knuckle boxing promoter pledged the Baddest Man on the Planet $30 million in a comeback deal.

A source close to one of the moves in play to promote a Tyson comeback told The Sun that a fight in Australia is off the cards.

The insider said: “Mike has ruled out the prospect of the exhibition bout in Australia because he does not want to fight a cross-over athlete.

“If Mike returns to boxing, it will only be to fight another bona fide boxer.

“Mike believes anything else would be an insult to the sport.”

Williams broke his silence over the rumoured offer on Saturday, saying he’d accept it if it eventuated.

“If it’s for a good cause, I’d love to get in the ring with Mike Tyson,” Williams said, according to Sydney Morning Herald. “It would be an honour ... a career highlight to share the ring with an iconic figure of world sport.

‘‘I grew up watching Tyson and his fights. It’s hard not to admire the power and ferocity of Tyson like so many other sports people around the world. It would be a humbling and surreal moment in my life to stare at him and know I was facing one of the greats of the sport.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Mike Tyson ‘rules out’ ‘insulting’ Aussie offers but SBW wants to fight

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/boxing/mike-tyson-rules-out-insulting-aussie-offers-but-sbw-wants-to-fight/news-story/fc0f7b3d672299666d58242dca0aaba4