HOLYFIELD DEFENDS TYSON REMATCH
Evander Holyfield has defended his plans for a rematch with Mike Tyson at the age of 45.
The former world champion plans on returning to the ring for a third bout with the 41-year-old Tyson despite criticisms from various parties over the prospect, which has already been branded as an "entertainment ploy" and a "freak show" by leading boxing figures.
But Holyfield dismissed the criticism, telling the BBC's Inside Sport programme: "It's up to me as an adult what I want to do.
"Tyson wants to regain his character. I want a good showing, he wants a good showing - so the best man would come out on top."
Holyfield claimed the world title in 1996 against Tyson and the pair met again a year later in a bout which became infamous for Tyson biting the ear of Holyfield.
But even that previous bad-blood has not fazed Holyfield, who is currently in the UK promoting his autobiography.
"It was my choice to forgive him," said Holyfield. "I forgave him that same night he bit me.
"I had to forgive him because it would make me want to do something bad to him."
British heavyweight Danny Williams has previously claimed that any Holyfield-Tyson rematch would be "a freak show", and "an insult to everybody's intelligence".
The former Commonwealth champion also claimed that Tyson's only interest in the fight would be the financial rewards.
"Tyson has no interest in boxing any more - his heart's out of the sport," he said.
"Holyfield is a warrior and still wants to regain the title but Tyson is doing it because he is bankrupt and needs the money. It's a complete joke.
"He's got no more love for the sport any more - the fight in Tyson has gone and I think he should just retire and find another way of paying off his debts.
Another critic of a potential Holyfield-Tyson bout is former undisputed world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, who beat both of them during his career.
"I wouldn't give Tyson a hope," he said.
"Evander's obviously the better fighter but I'd rather see him do something else. Why fight the same fight again? We all know who would win."
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