 The 7ft Russian towers over Holyfield
|
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.
 |
His head is starting to attract punches... I don't like it, I really don't like it
Foreman on Holyfield
|
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.
 Holyfield stands much shorter than the 7ft Russian champion
|
Foreman was 42 at the time and was giving 16 years to his opponent, who had taken the titles from Holyfield earlier in the year.
Foreman continued to fight for a further six years before retiring for a second time.
"We just don't know how to move on. All of us. I stayed in too long myself," he said.
"You fall in love with something that you ought not to fall in love with. It's like falling in love with a bad girl who does not love you, who's done with you and yet you keep hanging on."
Holyfield, whose career highlight was his shock victory over Mike Tyson in 1996, faces a giant task when he challenges the Russian in Zurich.
The WBA champion has lost just one of his 50 contests, stands 7ft tall and is 11 years younger than his American rival.
"I honestly do not think that size really matters," insisted Holyfield. "It is about how each individual fights. I know I have more experience, so I'm just looking forward to showing my talents in the ring."
|
606: DEBATE
rudeboyben84
|
Fight organisers insist Holyfield has passed every medical test with "flying colours" while the man himself, who had his licence to box in the state of New York revoked three years ago, insists age is no barrier to success.
"My aim is to go and win this fight for all the 40-somethings out there and prove that it's not really fair to put people all in the same pot based purely on their age."
Foreman is keeping his fingers crossed Holyfield is triumphant.
"I hope he becomes heavyweight champion of the world again so he can walk away," he said.
The full interview with George Foreman can be heard on the World Service's Sportsworld programme on Saturday (from 1400 GMT).
No comments:
Post a Comment