World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman stood firm when discussing his recent support for the ring return of former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.
Tyson, 53-years-old and retired since 2005, is back in training at full steam - as he intends to return to the ring.
The youngest man to win a heavyweight title is looking to take part in a few exhibition bouts to take raise money for charity.
Sulaiman raised some eyebrows when he recently stated that he was willing to give Tyson a position in the WBC's heavyweight rankings.
"Mike is Mike Tyson and I played around a few days ago, they kept asking, 'Are you going to rank him?' To rank Mike Tyson he would have to have a license, he would have to fight, he would have to have a real fight to do a process, and I said, 'Well if Mike Tyson was the youngest ever to capture the world title, maybe he’ll be the oldest' and that made a few people smile," Sulaiman told Boxing Social.
"Mike Tyson is Mike Tyson, he’s got a history, punching power like few in the whole world. I believe his intentions are to be praised, to do something with his body. You see the pictures, how he blew up and now you see him right now, you see he’s shining on his face. I love that, and that’s boxing.
"So if he comes and does exhibitions and charity to give money to those who need it, absolute full support. Then if that leads to something, we will see. He will have to have a license, so many things need to happen before we entertain the idea of him fighting for the world title. He’s 53 years old and it is just a matter of understanding the need of expectation that boxing media and boxing fans have. So I am having a lot of fun with it, I am supporting it 100%, and if someone wants to say he is going to fight for the title, I would say, 'He will!'"
The possibility of a Tyson ring return has generated a ton of headlines all over the world.
Sulaiman recognizes the attention that Tyson is generating and believes it's a big positive for the sport.
"It has brought great, positive attention to the sport. Why? Because Mike Tyson is a hero, an icon. He fell into very difficult times, as many have done, and now it’s boxing that is bringing him back in fitness, he’s feeling great, he’s feeling mentally enthusiastic. And to do what he’s planning to do, an exhibition match to create funds for charity, there’s nothing more positive than that," Sulaiman said.
"Since day one we of course supported, and will support, anything that has to do with Mike Tyson’s activity in that regard. So I’m very excited and to see exhibitions is fun. And of course it will be with the absolute care of the medicals and the testing and the complete protocol to make sure whoever is in the ring is in top shape and has no additional risks. With headgear, 18oz gloves, so very entertaining, very fun."