[Boxing] Holyfield in talks over title bid

[Rappy Veteran]

Evander Holyfield is in talks over a fight which could make him the oldest heavyweight champion in history.

Representatives of Russia's WBA champion Nikolai Valuev claim they have made an offer to 45-year-old Holyfield.

"Nothing has been signed yet, but it will likely be staged in December," said Chris Meyer, managing director of Valuev's promoters Sauerland Event.

Ex-champion Holyfield, who turns 46 on 19 October, has said he is considering the offer.

Should it go ahead, it is likely to take place in Germany or Switzerland.

American Holyfield has been crowned world champion on four occasions, but since 2001, he has won only five of 11 fights.

His most recent bout ended in a defeat by WBO champion Sultan Ibragimov a year ago.

George Foreman holds the record as the oldest heavyweight champion in history.

The American was 45 when he knocked out Michael Moorer in 1994.

But Holyfield would be a massive underdog against Valuev, who is more than 300 pounds heavier and stands a towering 7ft tall.

The Russian regained the WBA title he lost to Ruslan Chagaev in April 2007 with a win over John Ruiz in August this year.

[Source]

He could get battered I feel.

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

He is way to old to be in a ring.

[digipoi]

WTF? Regurgitating boxers. I know Holyfield got like 17 kids and 7 ex-wives to feed alimony and child support. Maybe he can't keep up with the payments lol. He needs to hang them up, he is already showing signs of being punch drunk. The age does not matter but he accumulated a lot of cracks by a lot of big men.

[revvo]

Holyfield? lol No way.

I hope if he's serious that he's seriously training! It would suck if he made an ugly comeback like Tyson.

[Rappy Veteran]

Evander Holyfield will take on Russia's WBA champion Nikolai Valuev as he bids to become the oldest heavyweight title-holder in history.

The 46-year-old former champion will meet Valuev on 20 December at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland.

Holyfield has not fought since losing an unanimous decision to then-WBO champion Sultan Ibragimov a year ago.

Fellow American George Foreman was 45 when he knocked out Michael Moorer in 1994 to win the IBF and WBA crowns.

Holyfield will be a massive underdog against Valuev, who is more than 100 pounds heavier and stands a towering 7ft tall.

The Russian regained the WBA title he lost to Ruslan Chagaev in April 2007 with a win over John Ruiz in August this year.

"I'm taking this fight very seriously," said Valuev who holds a 49-1 record with 34 knockouts.

"Holyfield is a strong opponent, and 10 years ago I would not have dreamed of getting into the ring with this champion."

American Holyfield has been crowned world champion on four occasions, but since 2001, he has won only five of 11 fights. He currently holds a 49-9-2 career record.

LOL

[digipoi]

LOL

I did read an article recently that he was in dire need of funds since his latest ex-wife also took him to the cleaners. He needs to raise funds to pay the child support or he has to auction off his home. Pretty pathetic for someone that made millions from his career and should have been able to retire by now.

[Rappy Veteran]

Yeah I remember when he was worth like $400m and now he's worth nothing.

[Rappy Veteran]

Evander Holyfield is convinced that neither size nor age will matter in Saturday?s showdown with Nikolai Valuev. The 46-year-old challenger is determined to become the oldest heavyweight champion in the history of boxing when he takes on the Russian Giant in front of a sell-out crowd of 12.500 fans in Zurich. In order to put his name in the record books, though, he needs to defeat the biggest and tallest champion of all time. ?I will display a performance that will surprise many people,? Holyfield said at today?s official press conference. ?I have been asked about my age so many times but that is fine. It is not about how old you are. It is about how old you feel and what you can do inside the ring. I am very experienced and I know what I have to do against Valuev. I am in great shape and I really look forward to Saturday night.?

Valuev will make his second appearance in Switzerland after stopping Jameel McCline in the third round of their meeting in January 2007. ?It is great to be back in Switzerland,? Valuev said. ?It is a great country and the people are very nice. It is something very special to fight an accomplished champion such as Evander Holyfield. He is a living legend and I am full of respect for him. However, once you are inside the ring, neither names nor titles matter any more. I have trained very well and I will put on a good performance on Saturday night.?

Manager Wilfried Sauerland admitted the showdown will be one of the biggest fights he has ever staged. ?This is a very special bout,? he said. ?Holyfield has been heavyweight champion four times. He faces the biggest champion of all time. It is a clash of the superlatives.? Philippe Huber, CEO of co-organisers Kentaro, believes that Saturday?s clash will help to put Switzerland on the world boxing map. ?We are keen to establish Switzerland as a top venue for great boxing fights,? he said. ?This is truly an outstanding event.?

A relaxed Holyfield also happily answered questions that were not related to boxing. A curious reporter wanted to know whether he really lived in a house with more than 100 rooms. ?Yes, that is true,? Holyfield said. ?I have been blessed and I am very thankful for my lifestyle. I have worked very hard for it. And that is what I will do on Saturday night: Work hard to win the title.?

Asked about how many rooms his house in Russia has, Valuev smiled. ?My new house is not finished yet. These kind of things take a little longer in Russia.?

Fight News

[The Teej]

Oh god, 7 foot tall? Holyfield looks small there!

Holyfield is going to get pummelled, lol. Either way, he's gonna get a decent amount of dosh so why not.

[revvo]

Holy, he's huge!

This is Rocky 4 all over again

[LTD]

Complete mismatch.

I wonder how much Holyfield will get for losing. I guess he has some bills to pay as well.

And . . . everyone and their dog will tune in to watch. Just because it's such a deliciously huge mismatch.

Classic.

[revvo]

From the article

Holyfield will collect $600,000 to $750,000 against Valuev, spare change for someone with career earnings of more than $200 million, including $35 million for one memorable night with Tyson.

[Rappy Veteran]

Evander Holyfield will concede a remarkable 43 kg (96lb) to Nikolay Valuev when they meet in their world heavyweight title bout on Saturday.

Holyfield, 46, is 11 years older and nearly 30 cm (12in) shorter than the Russian, who is the sport's heaviest and tallest heavyweight champion.

If he wins, Holyfield will become the oldest heavyweight champion in history, breaking George Foreman's record.

The American will also become the first five-time world heavyweight champion.

Holyfield is a former undisputed world champion at both cruiserweight and heavyweight but last held a title of any note back in 2001 after defeating John Ruiz to claim the vacant WBA belt.

Since then, the four-time heavyweight king has won five, lost five and drawn one of his 11 contests to stand with an overall record of 42 wins from 53 fights.

He has not fought since losing a unanimous decision to then-WBO champion Sultan Ibragimov a year ago.

Former undisputed world heavyweight champion George Foreman, now aged 59, won a world title at the age of 42, and says he would be happy to see Holyfield break his record.

But he says Holyfield is past his best and says he is putting his health at risk by refusing to quit the ring.

"I hope he'll achieve it and leave boxing alone," Foreman told BBC's World Service. "He's been a terrible reflection on the heavyweight division.

"Win, lose or draw, he should move away from boxing for the sake of leaving a good name for the sport.

"His head is starting to attract punches," said Foreman. "I don't like it, I really don't like it.

"He never was a big, strong man. He's a frail guy and he's getting the worst of it every time he boxes."

Foreman retired in 1977 before returning 10 years later and eventually becoming the oldest heavyweight champion in history in 1994 by knocking out Michael Moorer to win the WBA and IBF titles.

[Source]

[Growled Member]

It might be considered one of the biggest upsets ever if Holyfield wins. I'm not betting the farm on him, however. I expect a better than expected performance out of him but it won't be enough to win.

[John S. Veteran]

LOL

He's big, but not that big...

But Holyfield would be a massive underdog against Valuev, who is more than 300 pounds heavier and stands a towering 7ft tall.

That's more like it...

Evander Holyfield will concede a remarkable 43 kg (96lb) to Nikolay Valuev when they meet in their world heavyweight title bout on Saturday.

Man Holyfield is crazy...I remember him in his heyday, I was in High School...dang.

[leesmithg]

The only way Evander Holyfield will win is if someone takes a dive.

[Rappy Veteran]

It will be amazing if he wins but he won't!

[revvo]

Well, at least at his age Holyfield is in a better shape than Tyson :rofl:

[Rappy Veteran]

^^

Holy Crap :|

[MightyJordan]

^^

Holy Crap :|

Agreed. He makes Holyfield look 20 years younger!

BTW, what time is the fight happening?

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[Rappy Veteran]

Not sure, I would imagine it will be around 10pm (UK time) seeing as its in Switzerland

[Rappy Veteran]

Valuev Ends the Dream

Russia's Nikolai Valuev claimed a majority points decision to defeat veteran American Evander Holyfield and retain his WBA heavyweight crown.

Holyfield, 46, was bidding to become the oldest and first five-time heavyweight champion but was well beaten in Zurich, Switzerland.

Valuev now holds a 50-1 record with 34 knockouts while Holyfield's 24-year-old boxing career looks to be over.

Two judges had the fight 116-112 and 115-114 with the other scoring it even.

"I saw it the other way from the judges but I'm not disappointed by my performance," said Holyfield.

"He's a tough opponent, the sheer size of him is of course the main factor but he fights well with it too and that's the problem."

Four-time world heavyweight champion Holyfield was conceding a massive 43 kg (96 Ib) and 30 cm (12 in) to 7ft Valuev.

But despite Holyfield's greater mobility, 35-year-old Valuev edged the fight to take the decision.

"He was a strong opponent and he made me work very hard for the win," said the Russian.

Holyfield had hoped to eclipse George Foreman's record of claiming the heavyweight title at the age of 45.

Fellow American Foreman knocked out Michael Moorer in 1994 to win the IBF and WBA crowns.

But Holyfield, who last won a world title when defeating John Ruiz in 2000, must now be seriously considering his future in the sport.

He had not fought since losing a one-sided decision to then-WBO champion Sultan Ibragimov over a year ago.

"I thought I had done enough, now I will just have to go home and think about my future," said Holyfield.

Holyfield has been crowned world champion on four occasions but since 2001 he has won only five of 11 fights.

He claimed his first heavyweight title in 1990, beating James Douglas, having won previous world titles at cruiserweight.

[revvo]

Holyfield could have won this match. Valuev wasn't aggressive on him, he was barely moving during the match.

[Rappy Veteran]

Yeah its a shame really he didn't work on it more I think he would of won, rematch is probably out the question and the main question is retirement.

[Zoom7000]

It's amazing how depleted the HW division in Boxing seems to be. Just so full of pretty unexciting talent. There are cool up and comers like David Haye, but I can't see a match on the horizon that will break the box office.