Tyson Fury has revealed that a potential heavyweight clash with Mike Tyson fell through due to financial disagreements.

According to ‘The Gypsy King’, there were serious discussions about an exhibition match between the two, but negotiations broke down when ‘Iron Mike’ demanded a staggering $500million (£385million) fee.

Fury, who was named after the former unified world heavyweight champion by his father John, was at the peak of his career following his victory over Deontay Wilder when he received the offer. The 36-year-old expressed his excitement at the prospect of facing a figure who had significantly influenced his boxing journey.

“I did get a phone call with a chance to fight Mike Tyson,” Fury disclosed to BT Sport in 2020. “I was like, ‘What?’ Yeah, I had a phone call saying, ‘Would you like to fight Mike Tyson in an exhibition fight?’ I was like, ‘Hell yeah!’

However, the match never materialised, and instead, ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ faced fellow boxing legend Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition in November 2020. Now, at 58 years old, Tyson is set to make a full comeback from retirement when he takes on Jake Paul in an eight-round bout on November 15.

Tyson Fury complains that he was paid peanuts after the bout

In an interview with iFL TV back in October, Fury disclosed the reasons why a fight between him and Tyson didn’t happen, citing financial disagreements: “There was talk of it. His people contacted me. Mike and I had a phone call. It was all real but never materialised,” reports the Mirror.

“Whoever was offering the comeback money to Mike offered us peanuts. Mike was talking about $500million figures [half a billion], but what came back to us on paper was a joke. It was crazy. I did have a $10million offer from ESPN to do the fight as an exhibition, but I think everyone has moved on now.”

While Tyson’s forthcoming bout with Paul is generating buzz, the potential match-up between the two Tysons would have been a spectacle of its own. The rare chance to witness champions from different boxing eras clash, especially with The Gypsy King’s undefeated record at the time the rumours started is a tantalising thought for fans.

The upcoming fight might mark Tyson’s final appearance in the ring, with many anticipating his retirement post-fight. Yet, the legendary American boxer hasn’t dismissed the possibility of continuing, leaving open the option to take on some of the current top heavyweights or revisit past rivalries.