In the wake of the buzz surrounding the potential fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, legendary boxer Evander Holyfield made an unexpected move by reaching out to KSI, seeking to set up an exhibition match. Holyfield, renowned for his remarkable career as an undisputed heavyweight champion, retired in 2011 after a final victory over Brian Nielsen.
However, like many boxing legends, Holyfield couldn’t resist the allure of returning to the ring. In 2021, he stepped back into the spotlight in a disastrous exhibition against Vitor Belfort. The bout ended quickly, with Holyfield being stopped in under two minutes, raising serious concerns about his ability to compete again. Despite this setback, Holyfield expressed interest in taking on YouTube star-turned-boxer KSI, bringing this proposal directly to KSI’s team and the Misfits Boxing organization.
Mams Taylor, KSI’s manager, spoke to talkSPORT about the proposal: “We were contacted by Evander Holyfield regarding a fight with KSI. But this is something we would never consider. There must be a fair balance in terms of age and ability between the fighters. Even if we were offered a fight with Mike Tyson or Evander Holyfield for an astronomical sum, it would be out of the question.”
Taylor emphasized that Misfits Boxing operates on a different set of principles compared to traditional boxing. “We prioritize fighter safety above all,” he explained. “Our fighters undergo extensive medical testing before stepping into the ring, and we make sure the matchups are balanced. That’s our core belief, and it’s something we are committed to upholding, no matter how large the financial offer might be.”
At 61, Holyfield’s hopes of stepping back into the ring seem to be diminishing due to these concerns about his health and age. His last fight against the much younger Belfort showed the risks involved, and this defeat shattered any chance of a long-anticipated trilogy with his former rival, Mike Tyson.
Holyfield’s renewed interest in fighting may have been sparked by Tyson’s announcement of his own surprising return. Tyson, now 58, is set to face Jake Paul on November 15, marking his first professional bout since his retirement in 2005. Despite concerns over his health, Tyson’s return to the ring has drawn significant attention.
KSI, however, has voiced his skepticism about the fight between Paul and Tyson, suggesting that the matchup may not come to fruition. “Jake keeps gaining weight and preparing for this fight with Tyson, but I don’t think it’s going to happen,” KSI commented. “I believe that once they start to realize the reality of the situation, Mike will see that he’s not physically capable of fighting anymore. Then, I’m not sure what their plan will be.”
In conclusion, while Holyfield’s enthusiasm to fight once again is clear, it is unlikely that fans will see him back in the ring, particularly against a younger and less experienced fighter like KSI. Concerns over his health and safety are simply too great to ignore. As the boxing world continues to debate the ethics of these exhibition matches, Misfits Boxing’s firm stance on fighter safety serves as a reminder of the potential dangers involved in bringing older athletes back into the ring.