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Mike Tyson Has About 80 Million Reasons to Jump in the Ring With Evander Holyfield Next: 'Let's Do It!'

Not only did Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr.โ€™s exhibition match provide us with an endless supply of memes, but it proved that even after a 15-year layoff, boxing fans will still clamor to watch Iron Mike throw hands in the ring. Suggested Reading Trigger Warning…All of the Shocking Testimony From Diddy’s Federal Trial 15…

Not only did Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr.โ€™s exhibition match provide us with an endless supply of memes, but it proved that even after a 15-year layoff, boxing fans will still clamor to watch Iron Mike throw hands in the ring.

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From the New York Post:

The former heavyweight championโ€™s exhibition draw against Roy Jones Jr. on Nov. 28 generated over $80 million via more than 1.6 million pay-per-view purchases, according to projections released by Tysonโ€™s Legends Only League and the social-networking service Triller, the fightโ€™s distributor.

$80 million? 1.6 million pay-per-view buys? Goddamn.

And according to Triller owner, Ryan Kavanaugh, the bout is expected to crack the top 10 most purchased PPV events of all-time. I think you missed that last part: of all-time.

โ€œDespite everyone wanting for it not to work, we upset them by changing things up and making it work and dominated the conversation,โ€ Kavanaugh told BoxingScene.com.

So whatโ€™s next on the agenda?

After reportedly collecting $10 million for putting hands on Jones, itโ€™s looking like next up to bat is former heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield. Yes, the same Evander Holyfield whose ear became a mid-fight snack during their infamous 1997 rematch. While nothing is set in stone, the 58-year-old is still very much about that action and has been in contact with Tysonโ€™s camp.

โ€œWeโ€™ve definitely had conversations, and it looks like itโ€™s gonna happen,โ€ Holyfield told TMZ. โ€œIโ€™m a very confident person, so I think itโ€™s gonna happen.โ€

โ€œLetโ€™s do it, baby! Simple as that. Letโ€™s do it.โ€

He also made similar statements in the immediate aftermath of Tysonโ€™s bout against Jones.

โ€œNo more excuses,โ€ Holyfield said in a statement. โ€œThis is the fight that must happen for both our legacies. Saturday night you said you were ready to fight me, so sign the contract and get in the ring, Tyson. The world is waiting and itโ€™s on you now. Iโ€™m ready.โ€

Tysonโ€™s camp has yet to respond to Holyfieldโ€™s challenge, but considering a fight with Holyfield could be an even bigger draw, I believe itโ€™s only a matter of time until Iron Mike signs on the dotted line.

Straight From The Root

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