“It’s quite possible to bring Tyson to Russia”

Russian promoter Vladimir Khryunov is seriously interested in the opportunity to organize a fight between boxer Mike Tyson and one of the Russian representatives of the world of mixed martial arts. He stated that he invited the legendary American to meet with Alexander Emelianenko or Sergei Kharitonov.

“Yesterday we contacted Tyson. The call was on a different topic, but we discussed his intention to return to the ring. He asked if there was an opportunity to fight in Russia. I invited him to speak in the framework of the WTKF promotion - in Belarus. Rivals to choose from - Sergey Kharitonov and Alexander Emelianenko. Boxing match. Status - exhibition battle. Tyson asked if I had a millionaire. I replied that there would be, ”said Khryunov on Wednesday.

According to the promoter, Mike does not know Alexander, and at first thought that he was offered to meet with his older brother Fedor.

“First I’ll talk with Kharitonov, since he is the current WTKF champion, and then with Alexander. Tyson is actually training now. He has good offers - for example, a tour of Australia, ”added Khryunov. 

The specialist also admitted that when organizing the battle he is inclined to Kharitonov’s candidacy. At the same time, the event can be held in Minsk, where Sergey won the WTKF heavyweight champion title in February.

We intend to support the organization of such a fight in the Boxing Federation of Russia. Its head, Umar Kremlin, in a conversation with RT did not rule out a similar battle in Russia, and also told where and when it could take place.

“I believe that bringing Tyson to Russia is quite realistic. But first, you need to get consent both from his side and from the opponent. We’ll agree on the price. We will do everything possible to make the battle take place ... We have many sites. This is not only Moscow, but also, for example, Yekaterinburg. I think that by the end of the year we can see this fight if the parties quickly agree, ”the functionary emphasized.

The Kremlin expressed a desire to bring Tyson to Russia as soon as he talked about a possible return to the ring. In particular, he proposed to organize a duel between Mike and another boxing veteran - 51-year-old ex-champion of the planet Oleg Maskaev. The latter reacted favorably to this idea and stated that he would "go against Tyson." But another former world champion Nikolai Valuev, on the contrary, admitted that he was not interested in such a confrontation.

“I'm not a boxer, but I would love to bother with him”

Alexander Emelianenko expressed a desire to meet with Tyson in the ring at the beginning of the week in an interview with singer Ptah.

“So I just saw that Tyson is returning. I understand that I am not a boxer, but I would love to bother with him. Moreover, he does not want long fights. He wants a four-round fight because he won’t pull it anymore. So I’d love to be with him, ”said Emelianenko live on Instagram.

The 53-year-old former world champion announced his desire to return to the ring for charity in late April. Tyson intends to hold several three or four-round exhibition fights. First, the American wants to get an acceptable form, and this, apparently, he already succeeds. So, Iron Mike recently posted a video of one of his classes.

View this Instagram post

Posted by Mike Tyson (@miketyson) May 1, 2020 at 12:07 pm PDT

The last time Tyson entered the ring in 2005. Then he was defeated by the Irishman Kevin McBride, which became his second in a row. After that, the former holder of the championship belt announced his retirement. According to Emelianenko, despite a long downtime, Mike is still fast, tough and strong, although not so mobile.

“On the Internet, I saw how he shows his current skills, working on his paws. It would be an honor for me to enter the ring with such a legendary and outstanding person as Mike Tyson. The most important thing is not to stagnate before him. Because if he catches up with me, he will send me to sleep. I understand that, ”quotes the words of the Sports Express athlete.

“If such a fight takes place, it will definitely be interesting”

It is not yet known whether a battle will take place with the participation of a legend with Emelianenko or Kharitonov, however, the news of its possible conduct caused a serious resonance both in the world of boxing and in the world of mixed martial arts. So, MMA fighter Alexander Shlemenko called the idea of ​​such a confrontation excellent.

“For both Kharitonov and Emelianenko, this is an ideal chance to box with a legend and make a name for themselves. The whole world will follow the battle, and the guys will be able to really draw attention to themselves, it does not even matter whether they win or not. But I have little faith in organizing such a confrontation. Perhaps everything is done in order to raise hype, ”Shlemenko said in an interview with RT.

At the same time, according to the athlete, Kharitonov and Emelianenko will have every chance of success, since Tyson has not entered the ring for 15 years. But they should still be extremely careful.

“Mike is now not the same as before. But if such a fight takes place, it will definitely be interesting. Yes, and the intrigue will continue. Although Mike is 53 years old, he remains dangerous at this age. I think Tyson is most profitable to fight with MMA fighters. This is better than taking a frank “downed pilot” from boxing and calmly beating him, ”added Shlemenko.

But the athlete refused to compare the potential duel of the former world boxing champion with Russian MMA fighters and the famous confrontation between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather, calling these fights “completely different”.

“Mayweather is not so many years old, and before meeting with Conor, he did not enter the ring for only two years. Tyson did not fight for 15 years. I think that Kharitonov and Emelianenko will have a much greater chance of winning than the Irish. They are still active athletes. Plus, we must not forget that both can be attributed to the basic boxers, they are “drummers”, - said Shlemenko.

So far, it is only obvious that this story will only help Emelianenko to attract attention, which, in the opinion of his colleague, he is doing very well. Shlemenko considers Alexander “one of the most media fighters in Russia”, who by this indicator has already significantly surpassed his brother Fedor.

“I do not believe that Mike will enter the ring for the money”

But the former world boxing champion Konstantin Tszyu reacted to the idea of ​​organizing a fight between Tyson and one of the Russian fighters negatively. He admitted that he did not believe in the implementation of such an idea, and also doubted that Mike would be able to persuade him to come to Russia even for a lot of money.

“Tyson has not been performing for so many years. I do not believe that he will return to the ring. Believe me. Khryunov said that he “will have a millionaire,” but I do not believe that Mike will enter the ring for the money. If they offered me so much, I would refuse. For you, this is easy money, boxing for a few minutes. And for me, at least six months of training, a complete renunciation of everything and a complete change of lifestyle, strict discipline in relation to myself and my family. I repeat, for a million he will not agree. Mike earns more on advertising. For $ 10 million, maybe he will start talking a little bit, ”Tszyu emphasized in an interview with RT.

He also doubted that at this meeting, if it takes place in Russia, he will be able to earn big money. According to the ex-world champion, he does not remember when the country was good at selling fights.

“There are three main types of fundraising at such events. This is advertising, ticket sales and television. The latter does not pay with us. Sponsors Why do they need it? It will only be possible to collect something on tickets. Yes, and it will take a year to organize the fight, and Mike will be 54 by that time. Do not forget that at the same time he does not lead the most athletic lifestyle. And why would he risk this million? Yes, he used to get $ 50-100 million for a fight! I am not a supporter of the show that they are turning a normal sport into, ”Tszyu admitted.

As for the chances of Emelianenko to win, the former boxer rated them as quite high. He noted that the fighter is in great shape and can do “anything” with Tyson.

“If I'm not mistaken, Sashka is almost a master of sports in boxing. So imagine - a master of sports against the Tyson ZMS. But boxing is unpredictable sport. People can fall from any blow. Hypothetically, everything is possible, ”concluded Tszyu.