Mike Tyson fought Jake Paul last month (Image: Al Bello/Getty Images for Netflix © 2024)
Chris Eubank Sr has revealed he was shot down when he asked for an exhibition bout. The 58 year old, who was a middleweight and super-middleweight world champion in his prime, made his professional debut back in 1985.
He defeated notable opponents such as Nigel Benn, Henry Wharton, and Lindell Holmes before retiring in 1998 after losses to Joe Calzaghe and Carl Thompson. Despite not having stepped into the ring since, Eubank Sr revealed that he approached Tyson with the idea of an exhibition match shortly after his retirement.
However, Tyson’s six-word response quickly put him in his place. “Mike Tyson is my hero, I always say I have one regret in boxing and that is Michael Watson,” Eubank Sr said during a fan Q&A on his YouTube channel. “But there is another regret I have. When I was thinking or in that energy of money I had retired, this was 2000 and… I don’t even know.”
“And I had asked Mike for a chance to fight him in an exhibition match and Mike, his response put me right back into my place and will always have me in my place. Mike said to me, so I’m going to impersonate him, ‘Come on man, you’re my friend.’ Wow. Shameful, shameful, that is what happens when you are chasing money. I wasn’t evolved at that time, I was still trapped in the game, get money, get, get. Wow.”.
In a shocking twist to his storied career, Tyson, the legendary heavyweight boxer, made an unexpected return to the ring at 58 years of age, facing off against Jake Paul last month. Despite being bested on points in the Texas bout and not delivering a knockout blow, Tyson took to Twitter to share his positive perspective: “This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in ring one last time. I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won.”
He further reflected on the personal victory of the match, expressing gratitude with no hint of regret: “To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you.”