Mike Tyson comeback in November

[WelshDevilRob]

Mike Tyson is understood to be making a boxing comeback and New Zealand is being touted as the destination.

The bad boy former world heavyweight champion of the world hasn't stepped into the ring since he retired from the sport in 2005 but The Southland Times understands the 42-year-old is in negotiations for a possible fight in Auckland on November 26.

Just who Tyson is being lined up against is unclear but it is understood that if the promoters of the event — who include well known New Zealand K1 fighter Jason Suttee — can agree on finances Tyson will be New Zealand-bound in November.

Tyson stormed on to the world boxing scene when he won his first 19 professional bouts by the way of knockout, with 12 of them coming inside the first round.

In 1992 Tyson's promising career was soured when he was convicted of raping a woman and was required to serve three years in prison.

After being released in 1995 Tyson took part in a series of comeback fights on his way to regaining a portion of the heavyweight title, before losing it to Evander Holyfield in 1996 by an 11th round TKO.

The pair's 1997 rematch ended in disqualification for Tyson after he bit off a portion of Holyfield's ear.

He fought for a championship again at 35 but was knocked out by Lennox Lewis in 2002.

He called time on his career when he was knocked out in fights against Danny Williams and Kevin McBride.

Previously, the man dubbed "the baddest man on the planet" has had connections with New Zealand when Shane Cameron and David Tua both spent stints sparring with the former world champion.

Southland's Hiriwa Te Rangi is a possibility to compete in a submission fight in the undercard to the main event.

[Kirkland Laing]

If he does fight again it's going to be somewhere he can earn some money, not New Zealand.

[Douglas]

Hopefully we'll see the old Iron Mike (a.k.a. prime Mike).

I'd heard that Tyson was in prison at one time, he must've gotten out.

[CutMeMick]

I hope that if Mike ever get's back in the ring it's as exhibitions and nothing more then that...

It would be sad to see him up there really trying to compete in fight.

[wesrman]

I hope that if Mike ever get's back in the ring it's as exhibitions and nothing more then that...

It would be sad to see him up there really trying to compete in fight.

People are just starting to get over the fact that he went all crazy, and starting to remember him as the great fighter he was. The perfect example was when they showed him at a fight not long ago(cant remember which one it was) with his kids. He looked like a normal dude watching boxing with his kids. Now hes gonna make a fool of himmself again?? Its sad really.

[Violent Demise]

Tyson lost his motivation to train a long time ago. And he ain't getting back. I can't see Tyson fighting again

[LEGION]

I'd like to see him just stay gone; but good luck to him. Tragic really when you get right down to it.

[rjj tszyu]

Although I'm by no means a Tyson fan, I would for some reason be hoping for an unlikely rejuvinated Tyson performance BUT I cant even see a fight happening never mind a throw back performance.

[ross]

I am a Tyson fan and I dont really want to see this but only because I know if it happens its gonna be done all wrong again.

I would watch no matter what but all he needs to do is fight real bums, anyone with no chance of beating him, old cruisers, if its good enough for James Toney, Lamon Brewster, Hasim Rahman and all the other heavys, why is Mike never allowed to fight a succession of bums?

Ok, McBride and Williams arent exactly world beaters but both had big advantages over Mike, age and size being the main ones.

What Mike would need is at least half a dozen 1 round blowouts before he even got any confidence back but with the confidence would come some desire to fight and win.

He could travel the world giving any local heavy or cruiser a weeks notice, basiclly just an exhibition but one where Mike smashes someone up

I dont think Mike would ever do whats needed to beat a champ any more but he could still be a success, or at least entertaining and even if it were only bums hes fighting, I guarantee you everyone would go to youtube to see him splatter