Mike Tyson has been called out by two-time heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman.
The pair were supposed to square off back in 2001 after Rahman knocked out Lennox Lewis to snatch the WBC and IBF titles away from the Brit.
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Tyson was mandatory to face the winner, however, a rematch clause in both boxers' contracts saw them run it back later that year despite Tyson filing a lawsuit in an effort to box Rahman first.
"The action I took was not something that I wanted to do but needed to do," Tyson said in a statement.
"There are people trying to abuse the system to prevent me from an opportunity to fight the new heavyweight champion.
"I have nothing but respect for Mr Rahman and his recent accomplishments.
"He has publicly stated that he wants to fight me next. Rahman versus Tyson is the fight the public most wants to see.
"I hope this helps clear the path for us to meet very soon."
Lewis returned the favor by knocking out Rahman in their second fight and went on to score another stoppage victory over Tyson in his next outing.
This spelled an end to a possible Tyson vs Rahman showdown at the time.
But Rahman, now 51, is willing to dust off his gloves to share the ring with Tyson 10 years after retiring from the sport.
“No doubt, there is only one name that comes to mind and that’s Mike Tyson," Rahman told FightHype when asked if there is a fight that could entice him back into the ring.
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"That’s just one of the only fights that I didn’t get to fight in my era.
“I was supposed to fight Mike Tyson but it didn’t work out that way but I’m still hoping for the fight, yeah, I’m still hoping for the fight, Mike!
"So when you finish with Jake, when he’s finished with ‘Fake Paul’ then I’m available. I think it would still be a great fight, I’m in terrific shape, so let’s see how Mike do with Jake and I’m available."
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul shove each other during tense face-off at launch press conference ahead of their huge fight
'Iron Mike' is due to return to the ring on November 15 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas against Jake Paul live on Netflix.
The former undisputed heavyweight champion last fought in 2020 when he squared off with Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition bout.
However, his fight with Paul is being sanctioned as a professional heavyweight contest under the auspices of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Concerns have been raised about the boxing legend's health as he gears up to face a man 31 years his junior, especially after their initial July 20 fight date was due to Tyson suffering an ulcer flare up.
But the 58-year-old insists he has made a full recovery and is in 'good shape'.
