Stubborn Holyfield Won’t Give Up
By Michael Woods June 30th, 2006Real Deal wants to retire as heavyweight champ
Evander Holyfield has a specific goal in mind, and it isn’t to make money because he’s frittered away his purses, as cynics might think.
No, the 43-year-old boxer wants to strap another title belt around his waist before he calls it a day. “To me, a champ retires a champ,” he said to the Dallas Morning News. “I’m proving to people you can choose your end, and I choose to be the heavyweight champion when I walk away from this.”
Holyfield’s quixotic quest to become the first five-time heavyweight champion begins Aug. 18 at American Airlines Center.
The event has been dubbed “Holyfield V, The Final Chapter.”
Cripes, we can hope…
He’s lost his last three fights but is determined to silence critics.
“His goal is to be heavyweight champion one more time, then bow out gracefully,” said Ronnie Shields, Holyfield’s trainer since 1988. “You can have goals at 65 and 75. This is a goal for him.”
I suppose stranger things have happened. Maybe Holyfield gets lucky against Valuev, for example. But part of me would like to see his Aug. 18 opponent Jeremy Bates give Holyfield a stern, conclusive message that retirement is the only option…
(Email news tips to Michael Woods at Fightwrite@gmail.com)
June 30th, 2006 at 11:22 am
After watching Larry Donald shut out Real Deal, I dont have the stomach to watch him anymore. Its like watching your Dad or brother get beat up. But what do we expect, he is still showing the same will and heart that made him in the first place.
June 30th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
holyfield has already beaten Rahman. you cant count a man out against someone he has already beaten.
June 30th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
Let it go dog. Just throw in the towel b4 someone get hurt or even kill. It Tyson cant quit it shouldnt be hard for Holyfield
June 30th, 2006 at 9:24 pm
the only fight out there for Holyfield is a third installment against Mike Tyson.
That might generate some hype, could be dubbed Hasbeen’s Harvest.
Holyfield has been a danger to himself for years and I refuse to watch.
How many losses does it take for a middleaged man to realise his limitations.
Please, can one of the alphabet organisations give Holyfield a belt, in doing so showing its true worth.
Maybe one of the fringe sanctioning bodies could show interest in the fight and bestow their belts on the winner - or perhaps someone could create a new sanctioning body just so Holyfield gets a title, if he wins.
July 1st, 2006 at 3:26 am
everything sed about holyfields comback has bin bad, which is understandable considering the sercumstances. but if he does win every1 will change there opinion and go along with holyfield. jeremy bates is anobody so if he wins this confincingly ill follow him but if not..time to quit Warrior.