Report: Tito Ortiz contacted for fight with Mike Tyson: “I’m in!”
Despite many not taking his challenge seriously, apparently team Mike Tyson did, and have now reached out to Tito Ortiz for a potential fight.
Fact truly is often stranger than fiction.
Last week, former UFC champ Tito Ortiz made a bold challenge to none other than decorated boxing legend Mike Tyson. This was following Tyson’s announcement that he is planning on returning for exhibition boxing bouts to raise money for charity. Ortiz’ rival and former foe Chael Sonnen was swift to trash the ex UFC champ, and much of the combat sports community followed suit. However, it seems that Ortiz’ challenge was noticed by Tyson’s team, who supposedly reached out the former about a fight.
I was watching Mike Tyson hit pads with one of my old trainers Rafael Cordeiro. And Tyson looked like the old Tyson, fast and speed and powerful. I was like, ‘Wow, Tyson’s going to make a comeback?’ All of a sudden two days later I get a phone call and someone started asking me, ‘What do you think about fighting Mike Tyson?’ I was like, ‘Really?’ This is the opportunity of my life. I’m in,” Ortiz said to TMZ Sports.
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According to Ortiz, it’s still unclear which discipline the supposed bout will take place in. However despite this, Ortiz feels confident in competing against Tyson in both boxing and MMA.
“I’m not sure if it’s going to be MMA or boxing yet. I haven’t even got that far. I think that we both have to be cleared by the athletic commissions. But, either or, I’ve been boxing for 20 years and my boxing skills have gotten better and better. I mean they may not be at the same level of Tyson, but has Tyson been punched in the face in the last 15 years? No he hasn’t. I have and I’ve been able to subdue everyone I’ve competed against in the last few years,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz has stayed active over the past few years, and currently sits on a three fight winning streak, including finishes over Sonnen and Chuck Lidddell. Tyson, on the other hand, hasn’t competed since a 2005 loss to Kevin McBride.
