Despite the fact that in February Fedor Emelianenko completed great career, his latest comeback announcement set the agenda for sports media worldwide. No wonder: it seemed that the 46-year-old veteran was frankly tired of the sport (age is age) and will now focus on work in the MMA Union of Russia. Didn't manage to take the Bellator belt? The coach's case will be completed by Vadim Nemkov. Ryan Bader is stronger again? This will not harm the legacy of the Russian heavyweight.
No unfinished business left… And now, a new challenge: a boxing match with Mike Tyson himself, the legend of world boxing.
On Wednesday, Emelianenko Sr., who is in South Dakota along with three of his fighters (Valentin Moldavsky, Vladimir Tokov and Nikita Mikhailov, will perform at the Bellator 298 tournament over the weekend), gave a long interview to well-known journalist Ariel Helwani. Talked about a lot:
- told about the ongoing problems before the second fight with Bader;
- confirmed his retirement from MMA;
- shared his opinion about the meeting of ex-UFC fighter Nate Diaz with blogger Jake Paul.
But the loudest on-air YouTube show The MMA Hour, of course, was a statement about boxing and the former absolute world champion in the heavyweight category :
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"We showed the (exhibition) fight of Mike Tyson with Roy Jones, it would be interesting to fight with Tyson. He competed in heavyweight, he has a symbolic name. I would like to fight… Various stories about Tyson are circulating in Russia, from time to time videos are posted where he is in good shape, hitting his paws. But, on the other hand, they say that he is addicted to his business (sale of marijuana) and abuses to some extent (laughs).
Why is it all so unexpected? Yes, because the Last Emperor himself in February put a bullet point and did not leave ways to return. Even in boxing. And now, six months later, everything has turned according to a completely unpredictable scenario.
Moreover, the Russian approved Helwani's proposal to fight Tyson on October 28 in Saudi Arabia at a grand tournament, in the main event of which there will be another unusual confrontation. Undefeated Briton Tyson Fury will greet in the ring the former champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Francis Ngannou, who escaped from the world's main MMA promotion for this poster.
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"I would be interested. I will prepare for this date, I have enough time to prepare. I didn't get out of shape, continued to train, so I'll be ready. Good idea,” Emelianenko responded.
Infopovod, to put it bluntly, is ambiguous. It is difficult to imagine Fedor Vladimirovich in boxing gloves, and it is even more difficult to imagine Tyson, who is 11 years older than the representative of Russia (103 years for two!), in the ring with Tyson.
On the other hand, the organizers, and the participants of the show themselves, will receive crazy income. Wherever the fight takes place — in the East, in the States or Russia (the last option is the most unlikely) — the arena will be packed to capacity, and hundreds of thousands, if not millions of fans will gather at the TV screens who will buy a paid broadcast and, probably, enjoy from beating Tyson. Against a boxer from the United States, all factors: both age and shape (Mike has a backache, he was even seen in a wheelchair), and simple — just one fight in 17 years.
There is no answer from the famous American after two days . For now, we will cite the words of experts who, in a conversation with correspondents, shared their opinion on the reality of organizing «battles of the greatest in MMA and boxing».
- Former absolute world boxing champion Kostya Tszyu:
«This fight will not take place, who will allow it to be held? Who will authorize it? After all, there are certain international rules for holding such fights. Someone should take responsibility for organizing this fight, but who will do it?»
- MMA promoter Kamil GADZHIEV:
“I don’t really believe in the possibility of such a fight. Last year I would have believed in it more. And I’ll explain why. Remember, there was such a trend for fights between legends? For example, between Roy Jones and Mike Tyson. Now this the trend has subsided a little. But if some American platform takes up the organization, then this event is quite real. And I would not say that Fedor has no chance at all against Tyson in boxing.»
- Sparring partner of Emelianenko, multiple world and European champion in combat sambo Kirill SIDELNIKOV:
«It's hard for me to say now «Whether this fight will take place. If it does, it's hard to judge where Emelianenko's training will take place, in Moscow or Stary Oskol. But Fedor now lives more in Moscow. As for sparring partners, any of the members of the Fedor Team will be happy help him prepare.»
PollDo you believe that the fight between Emelianenko and Tyson will take place?
Yes, it will be one of the main fights of 202325.7%No, Iron Mike will not sign to this74.3%VoteVoted:230August 11, 08:10