INTERVIEW
A possible return of Mike Tyson in the ring both fascinates and scares the world of boxing. On May 11, the 53-year-old American legend posted a new video on his Instagram account in which he is seen in training and where he launches "I'm back" while looking at the camera. Some experts believe that Mike Tyson is acting and that a fight at his age would be crazy. But others take the matter seriously. Like the actor Mathieu Kassovitz, boxing enthusiast, guest of Europe 1 sport on Saturday evening.
"I don't think Mike Tyson is acting"
"Did you see the guy training on videos? So it's very serious!" Says Mathieu Kassovitz. "The videos are so impressive at his age! We see the Mike Tyson of his 20 years. He is powerful, it's absolutely great to see," rejoices the actor. In the video posted on his Instagram account, even at 53, Mike Tyson who stopped his professional career 15 years ago, seems very fit.
See this post on Instagram
Anything is possible when you are smart about it. Smart train. Recover Smarter. @smartcups #SmartCups #baddestmanontheplanet #stillthebaddestmanontheplanet @tysonranchofficial @coppergel #tysonranch SmartCups.com
A publication shared by Mike Tyson (@miketyson) on May 11, 2020 at 10:14 PDT
"It's magnificent! We want him to take back the ring. And when we see that, we tell ourselves that he has the capacity to do it", supports the actor who played a professional boxer in 2017 in the film "Sparring" by Samuel Jouy. Film for which he did not get dubbed, having started boxing at the age of 50.
"I don't think Mike Tyson is acting," says Mathieu Kassovitz. "I think he's capable of holding the rounds behind. A single fight, not a championship fight, but a demonstration fight against another boxer his age could be something magnificent!"
"The question of the dangerousness for him arises"
But at 53, a return to the ring could be very risky physically, even for a legend like Mike Tyson. Many experts fear that he will be injured. "If he has to go into battle, the question of how dangerous for him arises. At 53, getting hit by a heavyweight is extremely dangerous," said the actor, who still dies of wanting to see in the ring. "This fight should not take place but what would it be beautiful!", He begins to dream.
The duel could be scheduled in Saudi Arabia from July, reports Le Parisien. Some dream of a demonstration fight between Mike Tyson and another boxing legend, Evander Holyfield, 57. The two boxers clashed twice, in November 1996 and in June 1997. The two fights were won by Evander Holyfield, who had so annoyed Mike Tyson with his head shots that the latter had bitten his ear and had spit out a piece, earning him a one-year suspension. But the two men have since reconciled.
A fight between the two men would be "magnificent" believes Mathieu Kassovitz. "It would be a demonstration fight over six rounds" which would allow them to "continue to advance their legends". "I hope they will, but not in a championship bout where there may be injuries," he added. The fact remains that Evander Holyfield has suffered from a heart problem with the left ventricle since 1994.
"It makes us want to resume training"
For Matthew Kassovitz, who claims to be "an admirer of boxing and the personality" of Mike Tyson, a return to the ring of the American would not only be "beautiful for him", but "would prove" that people of 50 years are "active" and "we can stand against young people".
"I don't see many former 50-year-old boxers who are capable of having the same energy he had when he was 20," said the actor, taking as evidence the videos released by Mike Tyson. "He's an absolutely extraordinary boxer," he says. "Even if he does not fight, at least he continues to send us videos because it at least makes us want to resume training," rejoices Mathieu Kassovitz.