Holyfield responds to Tyson: 'No more excuses. Sign the contract!'

Retired heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield has made it clear that he wants a third fight with his old rival Mike Tyson.

The 58-year-old has responded to Tyson's statement citing their business associates as the reason why they are yet to meet in the ring for the third time. According to Holyfield, it was the 54-year-old Tyson who was seemingly reluctant to take the fight.

"My side tried to make the fight happen and we got nothing but excuses. Now I can see why he wanted a tuneup fight before thinking about fighting me," said Holyfield in a press release.

"Roy Jones was a good local opponent for Mike, but a fight with me would be a global event and the only fight that anyone wants to see is a fight between us. There is absolutely no reason why we shouldn't make it happen," he added.

The legends of the heavyweight division share one of the most storied rivalries in boxing history. In 1996, Holyfield stunned Tyson when he defeated the latter by eleventh-round technical knockout to claim the WBA world heavyweight title.

A rematch took place seven months later where Tyson was disqualified after he bit a piece off Holyfield’s ear.

Seeing the global interest generated in the eight-round exhibition between Tyson and Jones Jr. which ended in an unofficial draw, Holyfield insists that a trilogy between him and Tyson is just a matter of signing the contract.

"No more excuses. This is the fight that must happen for both our legacies," he said. "Saturday night you said you were ready to fight me, so sign the contract and get in the ring, Tyson. The world is waiting and it's on you now. I'm ready." —MGP, GMA News