Good news: we’re not getting Evander Holyfield vs Mike Tyson III next month. Bad news: we’re getting something even less appealing.
Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix and The Athletic’s Mike Coppinger report that “The Real Deal” is set to face fellow Tyson conqueror Kevin McBride “as chief support” for Teofimo Lopez vs. George Kambosos Jr, which headlines a June 5th Triller PPV.
According to Mannix, the fight “will be eight, two-minute rounds with no headgear.”
McBride (35-10-1, 29 KO) handed Tyson the final defeat of his pro career back in 2005, forcing “Iron Mike” to bow out after six. He went on to beat Byron Polley before ending his own career on a 1-6 skid, capped off by a 2011 knockout loss to Mariusz Wach. “The Clones Colossus” is 11 years younger than Holyfield (44-10-2, 29 KO) at 47.
At least Holyfield-Tyson III had a marketing angle; this is just pointless. It’ll be interesting to see what the ultimate asking price ends up being, because it’s looking like the main event will have to carry the card by itself.