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Discuss this article (26 Comments)Tyson and Holyfield to fight in Abu Dhabi
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Sunday, 25 January 2009
BIG MONEY: Tyson (pictured) and Holyfield are expected to earn more than $34 million each for the Abu Dhabi clash. (Getty Images)
Boxing legends Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield will stage an epic third fight in Abu Dhabi this October, Arabian Business can reveal.
Full details of the historic fight will be announced on Feb. 1. It is understood that the bout will be held at the open air Zayed Sports City Stadium in front of 25,000 boxing fans, with sources indicating it will be the “richest fight in history.”
The Tyson/Holyfield fight will be the finale to an evening that will first feature two separate world title bouts. One tentative date is Oct. 31, the night before the first ever Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Tyson, the 42 year old former world heavyweight champion - facing financial troubles - last stepped into the ring in November 2005, when he lost to Ireland's Kevin McBride.
Holyfield, now 46 years old, fought for the WBO heayweight belt in October 2007 when he was outpointed by Russian holder Sultan Ibragimov.
Holyfield won both the previous two encounters with Tyson, including the famous “bitten ear” incident during their second meeting in 1997.
Holyfield, who knocked out Tyson when they first met in 1996, was paid a record $34 million for their second meeting. Sources suggest that each fighter will earn more than $34 million for the Abu Dhabi clash, which is expected to be televised world-wide.
It is also understood that a chunk of the earnings from the October event will be donated to an Autism charity.
The fight is being put together by Hydra Properties CEO, Sulaiman Al Fahim, who said in a telephone interview on Sunday: “We have agreement from everyone needed and will make the official announcement next week.
The idea is to stage the biggest ever fight in boxing history and to do it in Abu Dhabi, which would be a great global event for the UAE capital.”
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
tyson/holyfield 3
Posted by john collier, toronto, canada on Sunday 1 February 2009 at 04:46 UAE time
let them fight,i would be interesting to watch
Posted by john collier, toronto, canada on Sunday 1 February 2009 at 04:46 UAE time
let them fight,i would be interesting to watch
Tyson vs. Holyfield is a rumor!
Posted by Wisam, Sharjah, UAE on Friday 30 January 2009 at 03:21 UAE time
I mean, come-on!
Tyson is as fat as a cow right now, do you really think that he will be able to shed those extra 20 kg or so before he steps into ring?
He would be killed!
They both denied those alligations... I wonder how would hydra properties publish such a thing without offical statements from them!?
Posted by Wisam, Sharjah, UAE on Friday 30 January 2009 at 03:21 UAE time
I mean, come-on!
Tyson is as fat as a cow right now, do you really think that he will be able to shed those extra 20 kg or so before he steps into ring?
He would be killed!
They both denied those alligations... I wonder how would hydra properties publish such a thing without offical statements from them!?
Why Boxing?
Posted by Victory Jay, United States on Wednesday 28 January 2009 at 11:55 UAE time
I remember many sports fans, had never heard of the UAE until the Abu Dhabi submission tournament hosted by Sheik Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
With that kind of budget, why not put together a mixed martial arts event of epic proportions?
An event like this would surely do the same for the rest of the world, but why not represent the new growth of the UAE with a new sport? Boxing has become a thing of the past, not the future...
Posted by Victory Jay, United States on Wednesday 28 January 2009 at 11:55 UAE time
I remember many sports fans, had never heard of the UAE until the Abu Dhabi submission tournament hosted by Sheik Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
With that kind of budget, why not put together a mixed martial arts event of epic proportions?
An event like this would surely do the same for the rest of the world, but why not represent the new growth of the UAE with a new sport? Boxing has become a thing of the past, not the future...
Farce
Posted by DubaiDan on Tuesday 27 January 2009 at 18:34 UAE time
Please use the cash to put on a truly epic fight - Hatton v Pacquiao for example. I'm sorry, just because they were once legends doesn't make it an attraction for me. Tyson hasn't won a fight for about six years and Holyfield is already punch drunk - listen to his recent press conferences. It is just a sad freak show. I have been following boxing for 30 years and would love to see some top-class boxing here. But not this please. And how can a convicted rapist get a visa to come here anyway?
Posted by DubaiDan on Tuesday 27 January 2009 at 18:34 UAE time
Please use the cash to put on a truly epic fight - Hatton v Pacquiao for example. I'm sorry, just because they were once legends doesn't make it an attraction for me. Tyson hasn't won a fight for about six years and Holyfield is already punch drunk - listen to his recent press conferences. It is just a sad freak show. I have been following boxing for 30 years and would love to see some top-class boxing here. But not this please. And how can a convicted rapist get a visa to come here anyway?
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