Mike Tyson initially aimed to fight “The Beast” Bob Sapp before eventually battling Roy Jones Jr.
Tyson had a different opponent in mind when the ex-undisputed heavyweight champion of the world first contemplated a comeback.
‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ got back in training in 2019 as he prepared to face former pound-for-pound king Roy Jones Jr. on November 28, 2020.
When Tyson began losing weight after ballooning up during his retirement, the vast puncher was initially looking to take on a wrestler-turned-MMA star.
Bob Sapp
Bob Sapp, nicknamed ‘The Beast’ and well-known to combat fans, would have been a mind-blowing choice for Tyson.
Tyson told Joe Rogan on his podcast to explain how he began on the road to a ring return.
“I was discussing with my wife something about me being overweight. She said, ‘why don’t you just get on the treadmill for 15 minutes a day,'” he revealed to Rogan.
“It went from 15 minutes to two hours. I was complaining about my weight. So, I guess I tried on some clothes. It was disastrous. I was worried about my weight.”
Tyson dropped the name-bomb for tens of millions of dollars as a potential opponent.
“Who would they like me to fight? It’s Bob Sapp,” Tyson continued. “So I’m saying to myself, I know Bob. I said hold, one minute; how would they like me to fight?
“Can I fight under Queensberry rules? The guy said yes, and I said yes, I’ll fight him.”
Sapp weighed over 300 pounds. He was once, like Tyson, one of the most feared fighters in the world. An absolute wrecking ball.
Mike Tyson vs Bob Sapp in 2022?
Tyson vs Sapp didn’t pan out. Instead, an offer was made to RJJ, and the three-weight world title-holder accepted instantly.
Despite some gripes over the timing, Tyson vs Jones broke exhibition records when it took place.
In his frame of mind for one of the most intriguing comebacks of all time, Tyson concluded: “I just don’t want to be involved with that kind of mindset.
“People do. I just don’t like how I think and don’t want God to be involved with how I think at that time.”
Maybe the Mike Tyson vs Bob Sapp fight could be resurrected? – Tyson remains in the gym in 2022 while Sapp continues the callouts.
In June, Sapp said: “Mike, now we all know what happened when you and I talked about the fight.
“I sent you a photo along with this sentence: ‘Mike if you fight me, I will rip your heart out and tear it to shreds.’ And it still applies.”
“The Beast” continued: “As for you, Mike. I’ve got a challenge for you.
“Since you stopped running, listen to me for a second: you and me and two of my best fighters vs. two of your best fighters.
“Stand up, Marquess of Queensbury Rules. Because you’re too scared to fight one on one.
“I’ll take all of you on, punk boxers. I like little Michael. I like little Michael. That’s my challenge. You know my age. Fight me. Or my crew.”
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