Evander Holyfield says he is "ready" for a unique trilogy fight with old rival Mike Tyson, accusing him of offering "nothing but excuses".
Tyson, 54, returned to the ring for an eight-round trip down memory lane with exhibition rules against fellow fiftysomething former world champion Roy Jones Jr back in November.
The event drew such a large audience that Tyson and other retired big names have been considering a return under similar, non-competitive circumstances. Top of that list is Holyfield, who fought Tyson in a pair of massive and highly-controversial heavyweight championship bouts in the 1990s.
Holyfield dethroned Tyson for the WBA title in 1996 before their 1997 rematch ended abruptly when Tyson responded to apparent headbutting from Evander in the first fight by infamously biting a chunk out of his ear.
The two get on well now, but after reports suggesting Tyson-Holyfield III would indeed be the next lucrative legends' exhibition, 'The Real Deal' is concerned Tyson is getting cold feet.
“My side tried to make the fight happen and we got nothing but excuses. Now I can see why he wanted a tune-up fight before thinking about fighting me," Holyfield told Give Me Sport.
“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. No more excuses. This is the fight that must happen for both our legacies
“Sign the contract and get in the ring, Tyson. The world is waiting and it’s on you now. I’m ready.”