Tyson had a different contender in his thoughts when the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world first considered a return to the ring.

‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ embarked on his training in 2019, gearing up to face former pound-for-pound champion Roy Jones Jr. on November 28, 2020.

During his weight loss journey after gaining significant weight during retirement, Tyson initially had his sights set on a matchup with a wrestler-turned-MMA sensation.

Bob Sapp, widely recognized as ‘The Beast’ among combat enthusiasts, would have been an astonishing choice for Tyson.

During an episode of Joe Rogan’s podcast, Tyson shared the story of how his journey back to the ring began.

“My wife and I were discussing my weight, and she suggested, ‘Why not spend just 15 minutes a day on the treadmill?’” he revealed to Rogan.

Those 15 minutes gradually extended to two hours as Tyson expressed concerns about his weight and decided to try on some clothes, leading to a rather disappointing outcome.

In terms of potential opponents, Tyson dropped the name-bomb, envisioning a lucrative opportunity worth tens of millions of dollars.

Tyson further expressed, “Who do they want me to step into the ring with? It’s Bob Sapp,” he continued. “As I pondered this, I realized I knew Bob. I paused for a moment and thought, how would they want us to engage?

“Could we abide by Queensberry rules?” I inquired. The response was affirmative, and I agreed, stating, “Yes, I will fight him.”

Sapp, who tipped the scales at over 300 pounds, shared a commonality with Tyson as they were both renowned figures in the world of combat sports. Sapp was an incredibly formidable force, an unstoppable entity.

Will there be a Mike Tyson vs Bob Sapp fight in 2022? The anticipated matchup between Tyson and Sapp did not materialize. Instead, an offer was extended to three-weight world title-holder RJJ (Roy Jones Jr.), who promptly accepted it.

Although there were some reservations about the timing, Tyson’s exhibition bout against Jones shattered records when it finally took place.

Regarding his state of mind during one of the most intriguing comebacks in history, Tyson concluded, “I simply don’t want to be associated with that kind of mindset. Some people do, but I personally dislike the way it affects my thinking and prefer not to involve God in that aspect of my thoughts.”

However, there remains a possibility that the Mike Tyson vs Bob Sapp fight could be revived. In 2022, Tyson continues to train diligently, while Sapp persists in issuing challenges.

In June, Sapp expressed, “Mike, we all remember what happened when we discussed the fight. I sent you a message with a photo, stating, ‘Mike, if you fight me, I will defeat you and leave you devastated.’ And that sentiment still stands.”

“The Beast” continued, “As for you, Mike, I have a challenge. Now that you’ve stopped running, listen carefully. You, me, and two of my top fighters against two of your best fighters. Let’s stand tall and adhere to the Marquess of Queensberry Rules, because you seem afraid to engage in a one-on-one battle. I’ll take on all of you, you punk boxers. I have respect for little Michael. Yes, that’s my challenge. You know my age. Fight me. Or fight my crew.”