Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum believes the ring return of Mike Tyson could potentially do very well on pay-per-view.
The 53-year-old boxer, inactive since 2005, has been teasing the idea of a ring return - at least to take part in exhibition fights for charity.
Tyson has been posting training clips, to showcase his speed and power, and the clips have gone beyond viral on the internet.
If Tyson returns in some type of a pay-per-view event, Arum could see the potential to generate a reasonable amount of purchases - but he's not confident in that scenario, because of the current economic climate with the coronavirus pandemic.
“I think it could do a lot of pay-per-view business,’’ Arum told Deadspin. “But would I want to bet on it by putting up my own money? No way. Millions of people are unemployed. Would they be willing to spend $80 to watch a 50-year-old man perform in the ring? I have my doubts. Without the backing of a site fee, I don’t think it’s possible.’’
Arum would be willing to have Tyson fight his namesake, WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, in a true exhibition - with headgear, oversized gloves and proceeds going to recognized charity.
At the same time, Arum would not stake his own money to stage such a spectacle.
“I would entertain the idea of Tyson Fury fighting an exhibition against Tyson if the money was going to a legitimate charity,’’ Arum said. “I wouldn’t finance it. I would put sweat equity into it. I think it would be good for Tyson.’’
Tyson recently rejected the idea of fighting exhibitions with part-time boxers like Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen - because he wants to face a "real fighter."
But Arum has no interest, whatsoever, in watching Tyson face a real opponent.
“No way,’’ Arum said. “You cannot reverse age.’’
