MIKE TYSON may have a opponent on stand-by if Roy Jones pulls out of their exhibition fight.
The scrap between the two boxing legends was moved from September to November – and this upset Jones who has threatened to pull out.
But if recent comments from Tyson's former opponent Brian Nielsen are anything to go by, there could be a ready-made replacement.
Back in 2001 Tyson bludgeoned his way to victory against the Dane who at the time had only lost once in 63 fights.
Nielsen failed to come out for the seventh-round – but he claims Tyson only won because of underhand tactics.
And incredibly Nielsen, who runs a golf and events company in the Costa del Sol, claimed Tyson "wasn't hard".
Speaking to Sky Sports, the 55-year-old explained: "Tyson hit me four times with headbutts. You saw my eye? He headbutted me.
"If I didn't have the scar on my eye, I would have beaten him. I'm sure of that.
"Every time he hit me hard on the left eye, I couldn't see.
"He would never have knocked me out, I can take anything. He hits hard but not hard enough to knock me out.
"Everyone told me Tyson was very hard but he wasn't."
At the age of 54 Iron Mike is returning the sport where he was known as "The Baddest man On The Planet".
He will meet fellow Hall of Famer Jones Jr in an exhibition fight for charity later in the year.
When Tyson announced his comeback, many hoped it would be to complete the trilogy against Evander Holyfield.
The Real Deal, who holds two victories against Tyson, is also planning his own return to the squared circle.
'HOLYFIELD WAS BETTER'
And Nielsen has talked up Holyfield's talents back in the day, saying he was a "better boxer" than Tyson.
He added: "Tyson was one of the biggest heavyweights ever but Holyfield is a better fighter.
"He was a much better boxer and also had a good punch. I went 10 rounds with Holyfield."
That fight proved to be Nielsen's last as he hung up the gloves after a 10-year career as a pro.
Source: Read Full Article