The exhibition bout pitting heavyweight legends Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield against each other for a third time, 24 years since their last, infamous meeting in Las Vegas, is now off again.
Iron Mike had taken to Instagram Live to maintain the May 29 bout at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium was proceeding as planned following the Holyfield camp’s assertion the fight had fallen foul of Tyson’s financial demands.
However, a Tyson representative has now confirmed to TMZ Sports that the former heavyweight champ wasn’t aware just how far apart the two sides were at the negotiating table and, unless something “drastic” happens, the old rivals won’t be swapping leather for a third time years after their fighting peaks.
In November 1996, Holyfield halted Iron Mike in 11 rounds in a big upset before a frustrated Tyson bit off a portion of the Real Deal’s ear in their rematch seven months later, leading to an inevitable disqualification.
Tyson boxed an eight-round draw in an exhibition with four-weight champion Roy Jones last November and plans to continue fighting in his 50s following the financial success of that return bout.