JOHN FURY has called out Mike Tyson for a shock Saudi showdown – despite being pally with the boxing icon just a few months ago.
Fury named his eldest son – Tyson – after the former undisputed heavyweight champion and revealed that to him during a sitdown interview in Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Iron Mike is still held in the highest regard by John, despite the fact he’s training former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou to get one over his son in October.
But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to test himself against the man many believe to be the greatest heavyweight of all time.
The 59-year-old told SecondsOut: “Why wouldn’t I not speak to Mike Tyson?
“I love the guy, I named my son after him. And if he wants to fight me on the undercard he can, no problem.”
Tyson returned to the ring in November 2020 for an exhibition with fellow great Roy Jones Jr and turned in a better-than-expected performance.
Despite expressing a desire to return to the ring again after his Covid-clash with Jones Jr, the 57-year-old is seemingly no longer interested in lacing up his gloves again.
That, however, hasn’t stopped John from wanting to throw down, with the outspoken trainer adding: “I’m a fighting man.
“I’m old but I’m a fighting man.
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“He’s a fighting man. He’s old. We’re two geriatrics.
“If he wants to fight me and I want to fight him, which I do, I’ve made it quite clear, we can do it.
“I’ve been knocked out before, doesn’t make any difference to me, as long as we can entertain the paying public and put smiles on their faces, that’ll do me.”
John will make do with a seat at ringside for his son’s controversial crossover clash with Ngannou should a fight with boxing great Tyson fail to come to fruition.
When asked if he’ll be ringside, he said: “Let me tell you, I’ll swim there.
“If there are no planes available I’ll swim, and I can’t swim.
“I’ll get two armbands and I’ll set off today. I’ll be in Saudi, don’t worry about that.”
Tyson’s showdown with Ngannou – who will be making his professional boxing debut – will be his first outing since his lopsided beatdown of long-time rival Derek Chisora last December.