Evander Holyfield announces he is making a boxing comeback following in the footsteps of his old rival Mike Tyson
BOXING legend Evander Holyfield is stepping back into the ring aged 57 – hot on the heels of his infamous 53-year-old rival Mike Tyson announcing his own return.
Former undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight king Holyfield will contest exhibition fights for a “great cause”.
He told TMZ Sports: “The Champ is back, I’d like to announce that I will be making a comeback to the ring.
“I will be fighting in exhibition matches for a great cause.”
The ‘Real Deal’ last fought when beating Danish outsider Brian Nelsen on technical knockout in 2011, although he only officially retired three years later.
And far better known are his two wins in two fights with fellow yank Tyson, especially their notorious second contest.
First Holyfield ruined Tyson’s opening defence of his WBA championship with a stylish but surprise eleventh-round stoppage.
Then he controlled the re-match – with frustrated Tyson being disqualified for an ear-biting incident even more shocking than anything in the modern era from footballer Luis Suarez.
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Now Holyfield is making his latest comeback, in particular for the #Unite4OurFight campaign, which “aims to provide students the resources they need for emotional development and education”.
He all but gave the game away on Tuesday by tweeting next to a shot of his face snarling, with “COMEBACK” emblazoned at the top.
And he followed up that jab with another telegraphing shot: “A setback only paves the way for a comeback.”