World champion Tyson Fury has revealed he was offered the chance to fight Mike Tyson in a heavyweight 'exhibition' bout.
The WBC beltholder's claim comes after the American great, now 53, sparked comeback rumours with a series of social media posts, after ending a glittering pro career that saw him twice win the world heavyweight title.
Speculation is rife that Tyson could take on great rival Evander Holyfield, 57, for a third time - 23 years after their infamous 'Bite Fight'.
Fury says he would welcome a meeting inside the ring with Tyson and insists he has no problem with either of the ageing superstars competing again.
"I had a phone call saying 'would you like to fight Mike Tyson in an exhibition fight?'" Fury told BT Sport. "I said 'hell yeah', but I don't think anything's materialised out of it.
"They're both old now, so they're a bit long in the teeth, but then who am I to say anything about what anyone's capable of? I wouldn't try to kill anybody's dreams of doing anything they want.
"If they're both medically fit to fight, then let them do what they've got to do. It's their life, not mine."
Just where such a fight might fit into Fury's upcoming schedule looms as an issue.
He is contractually obligated to a Deontay Wilder 'trilogy' fight, once boxing emerges from the coronavirus pandemic.
If Fury gets past his American rival, he would consider domestic bouts against Anthony Joshua, who holds the other three major world belts, and WBC mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte.
"I've got a rematch clause with Deontay Wilder, who apparently wants $US10million to step aside," he says. "But I don't think it's true, because I haven't heard it from Deontay Wilder.
"The fact of the matter is I wouldn't give him 10 quid, I'd rather punch his teeth in for a second time.
"After I beat Deontay Wilder, I'm going to fight Joshua for all the belts and after I beat Joshua, then I'll probably have a rematch with him, give him another chance to get his belts back."
Reuters