Promoter Claims Deal to Stage Tyson-Foreman Fight in China

Bill Wheeler, a promoter who has contacts with the Chinese government, said Thursday that he has a deal to have heavyweight champion Mike Tyson fight George Foreman or another highly ranked heavyweight in Beijing later this year.

The New York Times said the price tag on the fight would be $25 million, paid by the Chinese government, but Tyson has not decided whether to accept the offer.

Foreman, the heavyweight champion from Feb. 16, 1973, to Oct. 30, 1974, stopped Bert Cooper in two rounds Thursday night in Phoenix. He is scheduled to fight Tyrell Biggs next month.

It was the 18th consecutive knockout for Foreman, 40, who is 63-2 with 60 knockouts. He retired in 1977 but came back in ’87.

“I’ll fight Mike Tyson tomorrow,” Foreman said. “My whole idea was to come back, fight for the title and win it.”

Meanwhile, Tyson, 22, and actress Robin Givens, 24, were officially divorced in Somerville, N.J., Thursday.

Givens signed the divorce agreement Thursday morning in New York. Tyson, who married Givens on Feb. 12, 1988, signed before appearing in court, where he testified that he was satisfied with the settlement, which was not disclosed. An earlier divorce in the Dominican Republic is not recognized in New Jersey.