UFC legends Ken Shamrock and Tito Ortiz have issued expressed their heavy interest in facing Mike Tyson in a boxing match.
Tyson, 53-year-old, has been teasing the idea of returning to the ring – to take part in a few exhibition bouts to raise money for charity.
The former undisputed heavyweight champion has been out of the ring since 2005, when he was stopped by journeyman Kevin McBride.
Tyson has released several training clips, that have gone viral and increased anticipation for a potential return.
Shamrock, 56-years-old and inactive since 2016, views Tyson as the perfect opponent to fight.
“I’m always hungry to fight,” Shamrock said to The Fight Network. “That’s in my DNA. I love doing it, I’ve always loved doing it. At the same time I’ve also got to be smart too, and understand that it has to be something that makes sense if I’m going to get in the ring. I’m not going to fight some 27-year-old in his prime. It would be ridiculous for me to do that.
“But if something made sense, I would do it. I love competing. I’ve always loved competing. Someone like Mike Tyson would be a perfect fight for me, because it’s something I love doing. I love competing and I love competing against the best, so it’d be a perfect scenario for me.”
Ortiz, 45-years-old, is still actively taking part in MMA bouts.
Tyson is not ruling out the possibility of facing Ortiz or Shamrock.
“I don’t really know, but anyone that’s willing to contribute to this charity, they’re welcome to come in and challenge me. I would be open for anyone. I am just having fun looking good, showing off my new body, anything is possible. My ego is starting to get elated, but we will see. There are a lot of things to hope for in the future,” Tyson told TMZ Sports.