Integrated Sports Boxing: Holyfield Out To Prove He’s Still A Contender

ByBoxing Press

Four-time world heavyweight champion Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield plans to make a strong statement April 10 when challenges WBF heavyweight title-holder Frans “The White Buffalo” Botha in the 12-round main event, headlining “The Legend Returns” pay-per-view event at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

“I’m not finished, yet,” future Hall of Famer Holyfield emphasized the statement he plans to make against Botha. “I will be champion of the world again.”

The 47-year-old Holyfield (42-10-2, 27 KOs) is coming off of a controversial 12-round majority decision loss December 20, 2008 in Switzerland to then World Boxing Association champion Nicolai Valuev that most observers felt Holyfield really won.

Holyfield hasn’t fought in Las Vegas in 11 years and he’s looking forward to returning to the city of his greatest accomplishments. “I’m honored to be fighting again in Las Vegas,” Evander said. “Realistically, everything good happened to me in Las Vegas, starting when I made the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team. I became the undisputed world cruiserweight champion there (WTKO8 vs. Carlos DeLeon in 1988).

“The first time I won the world heavyweight title was there (WKO3 vs. Buster Douglas in 1990). My second (WDEC12 vs. Riddick Bowe in 1993), third (TKO11 vs. Mike Tyson in 1996), and fourth (DEC12 vs. John Ruiz in 2000) heavyweight titles were all won in Las Vegas. It’s where I’ve done my greatest things and I’m really looking forward to fighting back in Las Vegas.”

All four of Botha’s (47-4-3, 28 KOs) losses have all been to world champions — Mike Tyson, Michael Moorer, Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko – and three came in world championship fights.

“This guy isn’t afraid to come and fight,” Holyfield added. “All of Botha’s losses have been to world champions. He comes to fight, I come to fight; it should be a very interesting match-up.”

Tickets, priced at $25.00, $75.00, $150.00 and $250.00, are available to purchase at www.UNLVtickets.com or by calling 702.739.3267.

Doors open at 4 PM/PT, first bout 4:30 PM/PT, and first PPV bout 6:00 PM/PT (9:00 PM/ET). Go on line to www.crown-boxing-inc.com for additional information.

“The Legend Returns,” presented by Crown Boxing, is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN, Viewer’s Choice and Bell TV, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.