The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, London

American boxer Evander Holyfield said in an interview published today that he was in talks with Mike Tyson for a re-match of their infamous 1997 fight.

Speaking to The Guardian, Holyfield, who failed in his quest to regain a version of the world heavyweight title in October, said: "There has been some talk between us.

"Mike had Jeff Fenech, who's been training him, call me a few months ago. Jeff says Mike wants to fight me again-but he needs to know if I would agree to it. I said, 'It all depends on what they gonna give us-because I'm gonna catch a lot of flak if I say I'm fighting Mike Tyson again. I've already said I don't want to fight Mike no more'.

"Jeff says, 'What if Mike gets in proper shape?' I told him that's ok but I can't be part of it if Mike's going to pull out. Jeff said, 'The main thing Mike wants to know is if you would be willing to fight him again?' I said, 'Yeah, if the price is right, I probably would'."

In their 1997 fight, the second between the two boxers, Tyson, now 41, bit Holyfield, now 45, twice and ripped off a chunk of his ear, which he spat onto the canvas.