The year 2005 was remarkable in that it was a year that Evander Holyfield finally did not fight, and John Ruiz and the WBA helped lower the heavyweight division to new depths. First, Ruiz, in one of the most exciting things he has done, kept the WBA title on a failed urine test by James Toney. Then he lost the title on a decision to Two-Ton, Mile High Nicolay Valuev, a fighter who makes Primo Carnera a potential Hall of Fame member. By the way, is not Valuev the same Russian who lost to Rocky Balboa? It also was year in which Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo provided the drama that boxing critics find repulsive and fans find addictive. Unfortunately, in their rematch Castillo cheapened a title (if that is possible) by not making weight and allowing Corrales to keep the WBC lightweight championship even though he got knocked out.
Ed Schuyler covered boxing for the Associated Press for almost forty years. He currently writes for The Sweet Science. To read more of his work
I agree with you, Ed, that it was a relief that Evander didn’t fight this year. I have too much respect for what Evander has done for the sport of boxing, to sit back and entertain the idea that he might become heavyweight champion once again. I think he should go the way of other retired fighters and either get behind a microphone or promote fights. He definitely shouldn’t go the Foreman route and try to win a title again. I mean, seriously, who’s going to sponsor that fight… Depend? Geritol? Social Security? LOL