(Editor’s note: This story originally published at Boxing Junkie, part of the USA TODAY Network.)
Evander Holyfield wants his turn.
The former four-time heavyweight champion has called out Mike Tyson, who shared the ring with Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition bout this past Saturday at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Holyfield said it should have been him going toe to toe with Tyson, whom he defeated twice in the 1990s. He watched the exhibition and wasn’t impressed.
“My side tried to make the fight happen, and we got nothing but excuses,” Holyfield said. “Now I can see why he wanted a tune-up fight before thinking about fighting me.”
A 1997 rematch between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield turned chaotic after Tyson’s infamous ear bites. Holyfield, who won by disqualification, TKO’d Tyson in their first fight.
Holyfield said the idea of an exhibition was his in the first place. Now he wants to be part of the action.
The 58-year-old has always maintained his fitness. That can’t be said for the 54-year-old Tyson, who reportedly lost as much as 100 pounds as a result of his change of lifestyle.
Holyfield thinks a fight between him and Tyson would be bigger than the event on Saturday.
“Roy Jones was a good local opponent for Mike,” Holyfield said. “But a fight with me would be a global event, and the only fight that anyone wants to see is a fight between us. There is absolutely no reason why we shouldn’t make it happen.
“… No more excuses. This is the fight that must happen for both our legacies. Saturday night you said you were ready to fight me, so sign the contract and get in the ring, Tyson. The world is waiting, and it’s on you now. I’m ready.”
Evander Holyfield pressures Mike Tyson to accept trilogy bout: ‘It’s on you now’