Mike Tyson has been on the comeback trail recently, putting back on the gloves and stating his desire to compete in some exhibition contests.
One Australian promoter has had his interest piqued by the former heavyweight champion's renewed activity and wants to put him in a ring with a rugby great.
53-year old Tyson last fought competitively in June of 2005 when he failed to come out of his corner for the 7th round of his bout with Kevin McBride.
Since then, he's engaged in lucrative speaking tours and set up Tyson Ranch, which aims to "make cannabis universally understood."
But the one time 'Baddest Man On The Planet' told rapper T.I. that he wants to get back in the game. Kind of.
"I've been working out, I've been trying to get in the ring, I think I'm going to box some exhibitions and get in shape", Tyson revealed in an Instagram Live discussion.
11million people so far have watched a short clip of him sparring with trainer Rafael Cordeiro.
I’m a Bad Boy for Life. Watch #BadBoysforLife now on DVD Blueray @realmartymar #willsmith #stillthebaddestmanontheplanet pic.twitter.com/R9Zmz19GFm
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) May 1, 2020
"I want to go to the gym and get in shape to be able to box three or four-round exhibitions for some charities and stuff", Tyson added.
"I do two hours on cardio, I do the bike and the treadmill for an hour, then I do some light weights, 300, 250 reps.
"Then I start my day with the boxing thing, I go in there and hit the mitts, 30 minutes, 25 minutes, start getting in better condition."
All of this activity hasn't escaped Melbourne-based promoter Brian Amatruda.
"He might be 53 years old but he's still a huge name and any of those blokes Hall, Gallen or Sonny Bill would jump at the chance to get into the ring with him", Amatruda told the Daily Mail.
Former AFL star Barry Hall and ex-NRL player Paul Gallen fought to a draw at Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena in November of 2019.
Williams' boxing career has been slightly more serious, winning each of his seven fights with the last of those a unanimous decision victory over Chauncy Welliver in 2015.
Amatruda believes he can get Tyson's attention, "The first thing I did was contact (celebrity agent) Max Markson and ask him to offer Tyson $1million,' he said.
"Max brought him to Australia in 2012. He gets on well with him and his wife but the main thing is that he got him a visa to get into the country back then and that's the key."
Amatruda even has venues in mind, "I'd hold it at Melbourne Arena where we'd get over 10,000 or even Princes Park where they got 30,000 for Jeff Fenech versus Azumah Nelson.
"It would be enormous. Not just a fight, it would be an event."
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