When Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis finally fought as professionals in 2002, it might have happened far later than many would have wanted, but it was an absolutely blockbuster night of boxing.
Starting with an infamous press conference brawl and ending with one of the most profitable boxing matches of the 21st century, Tyson vs Lewis was the type of fight that made the world stand still, and if comments from both heavyweight legends are anything to go by, they could be doing it all over again in an exhibition.
Tyson, who returned to the ring in an exhibition format last year at the age of 54, drawing with fellow boxing Roy Jones Jr, told TMZ Sport earlier this week that he would be fighting Lewis in September, with a similar bout with Evander Holyfield having seemingly fallen through.
Last night, whilst working as a pundit for FOX’s coverage of Andy Ruiz vs Chris Arreola in California, Lewis confirmed that the two had been talking.
“Not yet, but soon — maybe. We’re talking!” said the 55-year-old. "He might be here tonight."
The lining in the Lion’s suit also happened to have a print of himself and Tyson from the poster of their 2002 fight, which Lewis won in the eighth round, retaining his heavyweight world titles.
Lewis fought for a final time just a year after that bout, beating Vitali Klitschko by TKO to round out arguably the greatest career ever seen by a British boxer. Tyson fought on for three more years, hanging up his gloves in 2005 after losing to Irish heavyweight Kevin McBride.
Tyson has been vocal about his desire to fight again while Lewis opened up a door to his return to TMZ last month, saying "If the public wanted it then we would probably talk.
"I don't know. I don't really have nothing pushing me in the ring right now. People would love to see that fight but I don't know."
Tyson and Lewis aren’t the only legends of the ring mooted to be making a return to boxing this year either. Oscar De La Hoya, 48, says he will lace up a pair of gloves once again on July 3rd when he’s set to take on “a big name UFC opponent.” Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez announced he’d been in talks with De La Hoya earlier this month.
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