Mike Tyson’s Next Opponent: Odds Reveal Likely 2021 Fight For Iron Mike
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The odds point to a big favourite for Mike Tyson's next opponent, after Iron Mike's exhibition fight with Roy Jones Jr on Saturday.
Most boxing fans felt that Tyson landed the better shots (although the eight-round bout was unofficially scored a draw) and Iron Mike has said he "absolutely" wants to fight again, promising: "I'll be better in the next exhibition."
The bookies seem to know who that opponent is likely to be, having priced Evander Holyfield as odds-on to be the next man to step in the ring with the 54-year-old Tyson.
Next on the list of potential opponents comes another old Tyson rival in Lennox Lewis, then Riddick Bowe, Iron Mike's fellow Brooklynite (although the two never fought during their peak in the 1990s).
After that come the long shots like Anthony Joshua (50-1), Logan Paul (100-1) and Conor McGregor (200-1).
But Holyfield seems to make entirely the most sense (if "sense" is the right term when we're talking about two 50-something heavyweights trading blows in a ring sponsored by a weed delivery company).
The two American heavyweight greats met in a pair of super-fights in the late 1990s when Holyfield stopped Tyson in a huge upset, then infamously had a chunk of his ear bitten off in the rematch.
So we're pretty sure promoters could weave a very interesting story into a third Tyson vs Holyfield bout (albeit this time an exhibition where both them would hopefully leave with their ears fully intact).
Also on the odds list are the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali. While both are now in their forties, that might be almost as bad as the idea of Tyson fighting Joshua or his namesake Tyson Fury. Tyson looked surprisingly fit and strong at 54 years old against fellow 50-something Jones - but both Klitschko brothers are younger, larger and haven't gone through the weight gain and other traumas that have impacted on Tyson in retirement.
No, if Tyson is to fight again in 2021 - and many boxing fans will be hoping the Jones exhibition was actually a one-and-done deal - let's keep it to those in his age category. Such as the 58-year-old Holyfield.
Or possibly YouTubers, just for the insanity of Mike Tyson vs Logan Paul, after which we might just have to switch the sport of boxing off for good.
The odds for Tyson's next opponent in 2021 are below.
Evander Holyfield (4/6 on)
Lennox Lewis (3/1)
Riddick Bowe (6/1)
Wladimir Klitschko (8/1)
Vitali Klitschko (10/1)
Tyson Fury (20/1)
Sonny Bill Williams (20/1)
Anthony Joshua (50/1)
Logan Paul (100/1)
Conor McGregor (200/1)
KSI (500/1)
All imagery: PA Images
Topics: Mike Tyson, Boxing News, Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr, Boxing, Fight News
