British promoter Eddie Hearn says he would probably like to see former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson fight again but has questioned whether boxing should be encouraging a 53-year-old to get back in the ring.
Tyson, who became the youngest heavyweight champion of all time when he beat Trevor Berbick in 1986 aged 20, caught the attention of the boxing world by posting training videos on Instagram and has said he was considering exhibition bouts to raise money for charity.
"I would probably like to see it but ... is it a bit irresponsible to let a 53-year-old legend back in the ring?" Hearn told British Boxing Television.
"I had a message from someone saying they wanted to talk to me about Mike. He looks pretty dangerous. What's compelling is could he actually go back in at 53 and do some damage? But should we be encouraging that from an all-time great?
"There's a fine line and I've crossed it a couple of times - between integrity of the sport and entertainment delivering numbers. Our job is to deliver numbers for broadcasters but we have to keep it as close to the right mark as we can."
Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield (57) has also released a training video on social media, fuelling speculation that he could come out of retirement to face one-time rival Tyson.
Dillian Whyte, the mandatory challenger for the WBC heavyweight title currently held by British rival Tyson Fury, has cautioned Tyson and Holyfield against making professional returns to the ring, warning the former world champs that doing so could result in serious injury.
Whyte can see why an exhibition match might be arranged but the Londoner argued anything further between two men who have not fought for several years would be a step too far.
"There's so many different thoughts and ways to think about this," said Whyte. "If they want to do something for charity in an exhibition match, that's fine. But as long as they keep it like that and don't try to get back in the professional ring.
"Because what it does, it diminishes all of their hard work they've done over the years. It's like 'you're in your fifties now, just relax, enjoy your success and enjoy your retirement'. They might get hurt, you know?"
Whyte also refuses to accept the possibility of his WBC heavyweight title shot being pushed back beyond the stipulated date of February next year.
In reinstating Whyte as its interim champion and mandatory challenger last December after a doping violation charge was dropped, the WBC indicated the Londoner would fight for the famous green and gold belt in early 2021.
The coronavirus pandemic complicates the situation as major boxing shows have been put on hold, while WBC titlist Tyson Fury is contractually obliged to face former champion Deontay Wilder for a third time on any resumption.
Speculation is mounting that Fury could then fight Anthony Joshua to determine the undisputed heavyweight champion but Whyte is adamant there should be no further obstacles standing in the way of his shot by the date outlined.
Whyte said: "I've waited long enough now and I've been mandatory and number one for long enough now. The WBC have got to uphold their end of their bargain.
"I've more than done my bit, I've more than done what's required of me and what's been asked of me. I just want to be full WBC world champion. It's one of the highest prizes in sport, the WBC heavyweight championship.
"It's all good fighting people because I'm a fighter and just winning fights and knocking everyone out, that's all good and enjoyable but you need a belt to secure the history and cross it off the list.
"I want to be able to say 'I was WBC or WBA or IBF or WBO heavyweight champion of the world'."
