There will not be a third bout between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield .
Holyfield appeared to be gauging Tyson’s interest in a rematch on Instagram Monday following his loss to Jake Paul by unanimous decision over the weekend. The 62-year-old boxer posted an image of himself and Iron Mike with “The Trilogy” written over the top, with the caption, “The fans want it 🥊 #unfinishedbusiness”
A clip of Tyson half-heartedly rejecting the idea that Paul would be his last opponent in the ring was also included in Holyfield’s post.
Holyfield defeated Tyson in the 11th round via TKO in their first fight in 1996. The two got back into the ring the following year, resulting in the infamous biting incident that led to Iron Mike’s disqualification in the third round.
Despite everything that occurred in “The Bite Fight,” Tyson and Holyfield went on to become friends.
Tyson delivered a face-to-face apology to Holyfield for his actions in their second bout during a 2009 episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show.
In his response to Holyfield’s challenge, Tyson seemed at peace with where life has taken them, writing, “I love you brother, but the trilogy is our friendship.”
miketyson/Instagram
After his loss to Paul, Tyson wrote a reflection in the aftermath of the bout and came across as grateful because the match was “one of those situations when you lost but still won.”
Considering the 58-year-old “almost died” months earlier from an ulcer flare-up that postponed their fight , Iron Mike is simply thankful that he not only bounced back, but held his own in the ring against someone half his age.