Why Mike Tyson won’t return to the ring in Monaco
“I want to continue this momentum. Maybe we want something in the south of France, in Monaco or Saint-Tropez, with a European fighter (…) I want to continue to do this from a point of view humanitarian view. “
On November 28, 2020, after an exhibition fight against Roy Jones Jr. at Staples Center in Los Angeles – ended in a draw in eight rounds – Mike Tyson expressed his desire to go back between the ropes for one last dance .
The following weeks, Laurent Puons, President of the Monegasque Boxing Federation, stoked the dream in our columns. “There is a real desire of the Tyson clan to come to Monaco. I have them on the phone once or twice a week for the progress of the file.”
Seven years after coming to Sportel, the idea of a self-funded pay-per-view fight was gaining ground. But then, the years and months go by and, at 55, Tyson seems closer to the 7th art than to the noble art today.
On the sidelines of Sportel, Laurent Puons confirmed to us that he threw in the towel. Ditto for Evander Holyfield, a time tipped to challenge “Iron Mike” in a remake of the heyday of the heavyweight, but whose return to the rings at 58 years turned to humiliation last September against Vitor Belfort, champion of MMA.
This time, it looks like the gloves are hung up.