KSI rejected Evander Holyfield fight for simple Mike Tyson and Jake Paul reason
Amid the ongoing debate over the legitimacy of the upcoming contest between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, Evander Holyfield made an offer to KSI over a bout.
The manager of the social media sensation-turned-fighter KSI has revealed that the influencer rejected an offer from the legendary Evander Holyfield for a fight. The star's representative, Mams Taylor, revealed that his client was put off by the age of the man once known as 'The Real Deal'.
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This revelation comes amid surrounding the legitimacy of the upcoming contest between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul still a topic of division within the boxing community. With 30 years seperating the former world heavyweight champion and the former Disney child star, the prospect of the fight has proven a controversial subject in recent times.
Tyson is preparing to make his return in the ring for the first time in a professional capacity since hanging his gloves up back in 2005. However, he is not the only icon of yesteryear attempting a stunning comeback - with the one-time undisputed world cruiserweight and heavyweight champion Holyfield contacting KSI.
According to KSI's manager Taylor, the 61-year-old - who has not fought since 2011 - reached out to the British YouTuber's camp over potentially staging a contest. Speaking to TalkSport, he revealed the details behind their conversations, saying: "I know Holyfield contacted us about fighting KSI.
"Again, we wouldn't do that. It needs to be two evenly matched fighters at an even age," he said, as he revealed that the decision was made to turn down the vetetan's advances. "If it was Mike Tyson or Evander Holyfield for all the money in the world we wouldn't do that.
"I think it's ironic because the cornerstone of Misfits Boxing is on a higher moral ground than some parts of traditional boxing. We take care of the fighters, we make sure that the testing is good and that's why fighters pop. We do it and we do far more extensive medical testing before they are allowed to fight."
Providing more details on the reasoning behind their decision, he added: "We fight people matched together at similar levels, that is our ethos and I think there is something for everyone. But we have a moral outline and we will try to stick to that regardless of the pay cheque that comes our way."
These remarks come after KSI himself admitted to some doubts about the wisdom of the upcoming bout between Tyson and Paul. He said previously: "Jake's just getting heavier and heavier and heavier, obviously, because he's just looking at the Mike Tyson fight - which I still don't think is gonna happen.
"I think they're gonna try and make an ordeal, and then eventually Mike will realise he actually can't fight, and then I don't know what they're gonna do then. But for me, the Jake fight, I'm just gonna wait. I don't really need to chase him, eventually he's gonna have no other options, but to have to come to me."
The internet celebrity added: "He's just not trying to get involved. He's in a bit of an awkward situation, so I think for him it's probably easier if he just leaves it."
