Tyson: Shady Handlers Box-Blocking Holyfield Trilogy

FITE claims the Mike Tyson pay-per-view did “record numbers” last weekend in Los Angeles, but “Iron” may not get to ride that wealth wave with Evander Holyfield if “Real Deal” can’t keep his handlers at bay.

Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson proved to himself (and the rest of the world) that he could perform well enough to continue his “Legends League” after going eight rounds against fellow 50-something pugilist Roy Jones Jr. last weekend in Los Angeles.

But it would be difficult to discuss a future opponent without landing on longtime rival Evander Holyfield. And while “Iron” Mike has been looking to complete his “Real Deal” trilogy, negotiations have continued to fall apart after turning things over to their respective handlers.

“Maybe Evander needs to talk to me because every time my business associates talk to his business associates, it doesn’t turn out well,” Tyson said (via MMA Fighting). “So I don’t know. If you could see what we made tonight, if these guys really care about the welfare of Evander they would have had this fight with Evander. Maybe we’ll do another but whoever’s he’s with who’s handling him is totally wrong.”

Holyfield won their 1996 showdown by way of eleventh-round technical knockout then captured a disqualification victory the following June when the erratic Tyson turned cannibal midway through the third frame and noshed on some ears d’oeuvres.

The 58 year-old Holyfield announced his comeback last May.

Even if Tyson wants to keep fighting, it’s difficult to predict how much revenue he can generate after his Jones Jr. draw, particularly if his bouts continue to be contested under exhibition rules with no knockouts and no official winners.