Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski is yet another name on the growing list of fighters who are interested in facing Mike Tyson in some form of contest.
For the past few weeks, Tyson has been posting training videos – showcasing his speed and power – and discussing the possibility of returning to the ring for a few exhibition fights to raise money for charity.
Since revealing his desire to fight – Tyson has received numerous offers – including a $20 million package to compete under Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and a $3 million offer from Australia to face Sonny Bill Williams or Paul Gallen.
Former foe Evander Holyfield is ready to unretire to face Tyson in a trilogy and the always talkative Shannon Briggs is pushing to face Tyson as well.
Tyson, while looking physically impressive in his videos, is 53-years-old and retired since 2005.
Arlovksi, 41-years-old, just picked up a win under the UFC this past weekend.
Like several others, Arlovksi is interested in testing himself against Tyson – with a twist.
The UFC veteran admits that he’s not ready to fight someone like Tyson in a full boxing match. He would prefer modified rules where the contest alternated, round to round, from boxing to MMA. Khabib Nurmagomedov made a similar pitch to Floyd Mayweather last year.
“Tyson is a legend,” Arlovski told sports.ru. “His poster hung in my room. I’m not ready for a full fight by the rules of boxing against him. If one round is boxing and one round is MMA, then it is possible.”
At one time, Arlovski was training on a regular basis with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Boxing Club. Roach was helping the MMA fighter with his striking ability.
According to Arlovski, more than a decade ago there were plans by overseas investors to try to set up a fight between him and then heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.
“There was an idea to hold ten fights and then fight with Klitschko,” Arlovski said. “Then I had health problems. We paused the idea, but if there is any specific proposal, I will consider it.”
He also explained that the plan to fight Klitschko fell apart after he was knocked out by Fedor Emelianenko in one round in 2009.