Facing Mike Tyson used to be a monumental job during the boxer’s career, however, it seems to be the same years after his retirement. Former American boxer Evander Holyfield, who was rumoured to face Tyson in an exhibition fight, has denied the possibility of the match taking place.

Evander Holyfield was rumoured to be in talks to face Mike Tyson in a fight in 2021, however, the negotiations did not conclude as the parties failed to reach an agreement. Holyfield, 59, has now come out and confirmed the rumours and said the match will not happen again.

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“It’s too late,” Holyfield told TMZ Sports, in response to whether the pair will be seen in the ring in the future.

Mike Tyson retired in 2005, while Holyfield continued to fight for nine more years and eventually called it a day in 2014. The duo had faced each other twice in their career in 1996 and 1997. The second of these two fights is known widely among boxing fans as ‘The Bite Fight’. It was at this bout when Mike Tyson bit a portion of Holyfield’s ear off and spit it.

The referee in the match decided not to stop the fight, which resulted in Tyson biting Holyfield once again a few minutes later.

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Holyfield appeared in an exhibition bout against Vitor Belfort in 2021, after which he revealed he will not be returning to the ring anytime in his life. Soon after, rumours of him reuniting with former rival Mike Tyson surfaced, however, it has since then been denied by the 59-year-old.

Mike Tyson is currently engaged in a heated controversy with popular streaming service Hulu over their upcoming mini-series on his career. Tyson has alleged that the Walt Disney-owned company stole his story and did not pay him in return.

Holyfield is currently an advisor to Chinese heavyweight prospect Zhang Zhilei.