WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has claimed he was offered the chance to fight Mike Tyson in an exhibition bout.

Fury, who grew up in Wilmslow and attended Styal Primary School, was named after the American great, who is rumoured to be considering a comeback, aged 53 – 15 years since ending a glittering professional career that saw him win the world heavyweight title on two occasions.

Speculation is persisting that Tyson could take on great rival Evander Holyfield, 57, for a third time, 23 years on since ‘Bite Fight’.

Fury says he would welcome a meeting inside the ring with Tyson as he insists he would have no problems with either of the ageing superstars competing again.

“I had a phone call saying ‘would you like to fight Mike Tyson in an exhibition fight?’ I said ‘hell yeah’, but I don’t think anything’s materialised,” Fury said in an interview with BT Sport.

“They’re a bit long in the teeth but then who am I to say anything about what anyone’s capable of?

“I wouldn’t try to kill anybody’s dreams of doing anything they want if they’re both medically fit to fight.”

Fury was wary of speaking about his foes in the blue riband division because of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, he outlined his intention to fulfil his contractual obligation to take on Deontay Wilder in their trilogy fight.

Only if Fury gets past his American rival would he countenance domestic showdowns against Anthony Joshua, holder of the other three major world belts, and Dillian Whyte, the WBC’s mandatory challenger.

Fury said: “I’ve got a rematch clause with Deontay Wilder, who apparently wants 10million (US dollars) to step aside, but I don’t think it’s true because I haven’t heard it from Deontay Wilder.

“But the fact of the matter is I wouldn’t give him 10 quid, I’d rather punch his teeth in for a second time.

“After I beat Deontay Wilder, I’m going to fight Joshua for all the belts. And after I beat Joshua then I’ll probably have a rematch with him, give him another chance to get his belts back.

“Then, and only then, may Dillian Whyte get a chance at fighting me. But there’s no fights happening, especially with me at the moment.”