Evander Holyfield, now 62 years old, has expressed his desire for a trilogy fight against his legendary rival, Mike Tyson. The idea of completing the trilogy between the two iconic fighters has captured the imagination of boxing fans for years.
Over the weekend, Tyson, at age 58, faced off against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul at AT&T Stadium, but it was clear that Tyson struggled to perform at his usual level due to a knee injury that hindered his mobility.
Holyfield was in attendance for the fight and didn’t hold back in offering his honest assessment of Tyson’s performance. “You could tell something was wrong with Tyson’s leg. His balance was off,” Holyfield noted, acknowledging that Tyson was far from his best that night.
Despite Tyson’s struggles in the ring, Holyfield took to social media to call out his former rival for one more showdown.
“The fans want it ? #unfinishedbusiness,” Holyfield wrote, sparking a flurry of speculation and excitement among fans about the possibility of a third fight.
However, Tyson was quick to put an end to the speculation.
Responding to Holyfield’s call-out, Tyson took a more sentimental approach, effectively shutting down the idea of a trilogy fight. “I love you brother, but the trilogy is our friendship,” Tyson replied, making it clear that their shared history went beyond the boxing ring, and he wasn’t interested in rekindling an old rivalry for the sake of a spectacle.
In the aftermath of his bout with Jake Paul, Tyson revealed the extent of the health issues he faced leading up to the fight, which made his performance even more impressive. “I almost died in June. I had eight blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25 pounds in the hospital, and had to fight to get healthy to fight—so I won,” Tyson explained. The shocking revelation painted a picture of the tremendous physical and mental battle Tyson had to endure just to step into the ring.
Tyson went on to say, “To have my children see me stand toe-to-toe and finish eight rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboys stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you.” Despite the challenges, Tyson took great pride in being able to compete, especially in front of his family, and viewed it as a personal victory, regardless of the official outcome.
For Holyfield, the desire for a third fight with Tyson likely stems from their storied history and the unfinished feeling that many fans have about their rivalry. Holyfield famously defeated Tyson twice—the second bout being the infamous “Bite Fight” where Tyson was disqualified for biting Holyfield’s ear.
Despite their heated clashes in the ring, the two have since reconciled and formed a strong friendship, making Tyson’s reluctance to revisit the rivalry understandable.
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The last time Holyfield stepped into the ring was in 2021, when he faced off against former UFC champion Vitor Belfort in a highly publicized exhibition bout.
Unfortunately for Holyfield, it did not go well. The fight ended in less than a minute, with Belfort securing a decisive victory, raising questions about Holyfield’s ability to continue competing at his age.
While the prospect of a Holyfield-Tyson trilogy fight may hold nostalgic appeal for boxing fans, it seems that, for Tyson, the rivalry has transitioned into something far more meaningful than just settling scores in the ring.
Tyson’s focus appears to be on cherishing his health and the relationships he’s built along the way, while Holyfield’s call for “unfinished business” remains a poignant reminder of the competitive spirit that has defined their careers.
For now, it seems the trilogy will remain one of friendship rather than combat, and perhaps that’s the best outcome for both of these legendary fighters.
