Tyson’s Managers Trying to Lure Larry Holmes Out of Retirement

Former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes could come out of retirement to challenge Mike Tyson “in the not too distant future,” Bill Cayton, Tyson’s co-manager, said Thursday.

Cayton said there have been negotiations for a match between the 20-year-old Tyson, the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Assn. champion, and the 37-year-old Holmes.

Tyson is in London to watch a fight between James (Quick) Tillis and Frank Bruno of Britain Tuesday at Wembley Arena. Tillis was the first of three opponents to go the distance with Tyson, who has won all 29 of his pro fights.

Tyson, who outpointed James (Bonecrusher) Smith 12 days ago, wants to fight every two months and will meet a yet undecided opponent May 30. Jimmy Jacobs, Tyson’s other co-manager, said negotiations were under way with Pinklon Thomas, a former WBC champion, to fill that date.

Cayton said money was the obstacle for a fight with Holmes. “We are having negotiations with Larry Holmes,” he said. “There is not that much between us, but Larry keeps upping the figures.”

Holmes told the Associated Press from his office at Easton, Pa., that Jacobs offered him $3.2 million plus a percentage to fight Tyson.

“I said give me $3.5 million plus a percentage plus $500,000 up front and we’ve got a fight,” Holmes said. “If I get hurt and there’s no fight, I’ll give the money back.”