Evander Holyfield Emerges as Heavy Favorite in Odds on Who Tyson Fights Next
By Dylan Bowker in Boxing
Published:
- Odds are popping up on who Mike Tyson will fight next
- Many notable names could fight Iron Mike but who gets the nod next?
- Check out the odds, analysis, and predictions below
Who Mike Tyson fights next has been the talk around the proverbial water cooler these last few days. Warriors of yesteryear and present-day gladiators are among the crop of names being brought up for Iron Mike’s next outing.
Logan Paul seems to be seeking an in-ring outing with Floyd Mayweather, so I think it’s fair to rule him out.
Conor McGregor shouldn’t necessarily be listed either, as he is slated for a rematch with Dustin Poirier in January. His next idealistic boxing outing seems to be for a fight with Manny Pacquiao.
Both of these men are also a fair bit smaller than Tyson. It’s completely understandable why both of these fighters are positioned at +5100.
Odds on Who Tyson Fights Next
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Evander Holyfield | -140 |
| Lennox Lewis | +350 |
| Riddick Bowe | +650 |
| Wladimir Klitschko | +1100 |
| Daniel Cormier | +1500 |
| Vitali Klitschko | +1600 |
| Tyson Fury | +3100 |
| Anthony Joshua | +5100 |
| Conor McGregor | +5100 |
| Logan Paul | +5100 |
Odds as of Dec 1.
Current Contenders or Past Pugilists?
The conversation for who Tyson fights next gets interesting when you contemplate whether he takes another exhibition bout or if his next outing will be a fully regulated prizefight whereby he can work his way up a contender hierarchy.
There are some reputable voices in the sweet science community that are now thinking Tyson can mount a genuine comeback of sorts.
One of those names includes George Foreman. He is an individual who made a comeback on the exhibition circuit before eventually embarking on a path where he became the oldest heavyweight champion of all-time.
George Foreman has declared that he believes Mike Tyson, aged 54, can break his record and be the oldest heavyweight world champion in history: "If he can be managed right, the right champion will come to him. If the right one comes, he can knock him out." [@USAToday]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) November 30, 2020
What a compelling, cinematic narrative for Mike Tyson whereby the youngest heavyweight champion in the sport’s history (when he stopped Trevor Berbick) also becomes it’s oldest heavyweight titlist.
Despite Big George’s perception, I would rule out guys like Anthony Joshua (+5100) and Tyson Fury (+3100) for who Tyson fights next. If anything, Fury and Joshua could very well be looking towards a clash with one another in 2021.
Both Klitschko brothers (Vitali at +1600 and Wladimir at +1100) and Daniel Cormier (+1500) occupy a space where they are retired but could potentially return.
Many prizefighters flippantly invoke the idea of retiring as a cash grab for a bigger payday in the return. But, none of those aforementioned fighters seem like the types to work that sort of angle.
Bowe, Lewis, and Holyfield
Riddick Bowe (+650) and Lennox Lewis (+350) are likelier choices because they were pugilistic peers of Tyson’s in the ’90s. I eliminate them from contention because their paths will probably not intersect.
Lennox Lewis has indicated a level of interest in coming back to the ring to fight Bowe, the man he bested at the 1988 Olympics.
These two never had a rematch during their pro careers despite it seeming like an inevitability when the two were at their respective peaks.
The phrase better late than never comes to mind here, but I would take Bowe and Lewis out of the conversation.
Mike Tyson vows to continue fighting, still interested in rematch with Evander Holyfield (@DamonMartin) https://t.co/nihC9yxgHn pic.twitter.com/29EGDbw9jP
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) November 30, 2020
Who Tyson Fights Next
Oddsmakers have Evander Holyfield as the likeliest option at -140, he is clearly a sizeable favorite, and I think the third fight with Real Deal is what happens next for Tyson.
📝 Evander Holyfield has tonight issued this statement, officially calling out Mike Tyson for a trilogy: "Sign the contract and get in the ring, Tyson. The world is waiting and it's on you now. I'm ready."
⏰ Tyson (54 years old) and Holyfield (58 years old) last fought in 1997. pic.twitter.com/895HV5uCGh
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) December 1, 2020
I theorized that Holyfield would be the next opponent here on SBD, the general public seems to also share this perception. Now we need to wait and see when that Tyson vs Holyfield III poster begins circulating on social media.
Pick: Evander Holyfield (-140)
Sports Writer
A part-time writer and full-time broadcaster, Dylan has hosted MMA talk shows Lights Out and Pure Fight Radio with featured guests like Jens Pulver, Roy Nelson, Miesha Tate, and covered some of the biggest MMA promotions like Rumble in the Cage, Unified MMA, and King of the Cage.
