Lennox Lewis has teased a potential future clash with Mike Tyson if the veteran boxer can claim victory in his bout with Jake Paul.
Tyson, 58, will take on his compatriot Paul, who is 31 years his junior, at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on November 15. Despite the huge age gap, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has sanctioned the spectacle as a professional fight.
The fight was pushed back from its original date of July 20, 2024, after the former undisputed heavyweight champion suffered a flare-up of an ulcer problem while travelling on a plane.
And Lewis, who hasn’t fought competitively since 2003, has revealed he would consider stepping back into the ring to face ‘Iron Mike’ if he comes through it without a hitch.
When asked by TMZ Sports if he would consider fighting Tyson again, Lewis replied: “C’mon baby! Let’s have it!”
It would be an extraordinary fight given that 22 years have passed by since their last encounter on the canvas. Both boxers were in their prime when they met in Memphis, Tennessee, and earned a huge £13.4million ($17.5m) purse just for taking part.
The occasion captured the attention of stars from all over the world, with Michael Jordan and Donald Trump among those to attend, where tempers flared. at the press conference. But Lewis had the last laugh, pulling off a mighty eight-round KO to overcome his opponent.
It offers some insight as to why Lewis, also 58, would welcome another attempt, although Tyson has engaged in a series of exhibition fights since retiring from the professional game in 2005.
But the London-born boxer, with 41 victories and just two defeats including 32 KOs, hasn’t fought anyone since his win over Vitaliy Klitschko in Los Angeles back in 2013.
Tyson’s level of fitness and commitment has taken some by surprise, with the former champion boxer confidently showing off his brutal training regime on social media.
It has offered a positive outlook on his chances of defeating Paul, who has a 10-1 record in professional boxing, and Lewis backed his former rival to withstand any pressure from Paul.
“If he’s in good shape he should be able to take it,” he added.
Lewis revealed he still works out on a regular basis, going on five-mile runs and swimming lengths, and would be tempted by a return to the ring if the financial terms are agreeable.
“For me, money talks, bulls*** walks,” he told The Guardian in May 2024. “That’s what I’m saying. I’d 100 per cent consider it.”
