It has been nearly 15 years since Mike Tyson last set foot in a professional boxing ring, but fellow former heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs has sensationally stated that "Iron Mike" still harbours dreams of competing again - and believes that Tyson would have handily dealt with current king Deontay Wilder if the pair had ever squared off in the ring.

Briggs, a former WBO heavyweight titleholder, is one of boxing's most colourful and outspoken characters. However, even for "The Cannon", his latest claim is particularly outlandish.

Per EsNews, the 48-year-old American dismissed comparisons between Tyson and reigning WBC champion Wilder when asked who he felt would prevail in a fight between the pair. 

"Tyson will win! [Are] you crazy? Before you go in the ring with Mike Tyson, you lose everything you win in the training camp out of fear."

Tyson and Wilder have certainly had their issues in the past, with the "Bronze Bomber" apparently upset that Tyson does not give him much praise when asked about him in interviews. With that said, any talk of a fight between the pair is simply fantasy matchmaking.

The now-53-year-old Tyson cultivated a fearsome reputation during his career as one of biggest punchers in the sport. The "Baddest Man on the Planet" is still the youngest man ever to win a version of the world heavyweight championship and retired in 2005, holding a record of 50-6-2, with 44 of those victories coming by way of stoppage. 

When asked whether he himself would consider fighting Tyson, Briggs rejected the idea out of hand - citing their close personal relationship as the reason why. 

Briggs did, though, insist that Tyson still wants to add to his 58-fight record.

"No, no, that's my boy. I love him as my big bro," said Briggs regarding a potential Tyson bout.

But he said he still wants to fight, though. He said he still wants to fight!

The next big fight in the heavyweight division takes place in a little under two weeks time, as Tyson Fury rematches Wilder for the WBC heavyweight championship at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Mike Tyson, a Vegas resident, will almost certainly be at ringside for the much-anticipated clash on February 22. However, a ringside seat is surely as close as he will ever get to a competitive boxing ring again - despite the words of Briggs.