Exclusive Boxing Interview: Evander Holyfield

Former cruiserweight and four time heavyweight world champion Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield, 39-8-2 (26), held a press conference in New York City earlier this week to announce Fres Oquendo, 26-3 (16), as his next opponent on November 10, 2006 at the Alamodome, in San Antonio, TX. This will be his second bout in less than three months since his second round TKO of Jeremy Bates on August 18, after a nearly two year lay off from his poor performance and loss against Larry Donald.

I was not able to attend the press conference in person but had the pleasure of talking with the “Real Deal” in an exclusive phone interview. Holyfield is getting ready to begin his training camp in Texas on Monday and is focused on his goal of becoming not just a five time heavyweight world champion but the undisputed heavyweight world champion.

Holyfield feels he will be ready to challenge for a title in 2007 and plans to end his career in 2008 as heavyweight world champion to be announced at the Olympic Games. Perhaps since the 1984 Olympics helped launch his professional career, he feels that ending it 24 years later at the Olympics will bring his career full circle.

During our conversation one thing was certain; he is motivated to obtain his goal. No critics, media or friends will deter him and he will keep trying until he achieves his dream.

Here is what Evander Holyfield had to say about his future…

SaddoBoxing: How are you doing Evander? I apologize for not being able to attend your press conference today and appreciate you taking the time to speak with me. I wanted to start out by asking you about your recent fight against Jeremy Bates. How did it feel to be back in the ring after nearly two years?

Evander Holyfield: Jimbo! Thank you for the interview. It was exciting to be able to get out there and do it.

SB: Was your plan to obtain rounds or to make a statement against Bates?

EH: My plan was to outbox and not put myself into a fight. My trainer said, if you think you can take him out go ahead and do it.

SB: Although the fight was short, you looked relaxed and moved well. Was there a different feeling than what you recall from your fight with Donald, where you appeared to be sluggish and not able to let your hands go?

EH: The Donald fight I was suffering from injuries. I was doing the best I could with what I had available to me. The great thing about the fight was that I never quit and I wasn’t going to quit regardless of what I was going through.

SB: What were your injuries?

EH: Shoulder surgery that I had and the pain I was going through I could not focus, I couldn’t move. I had a mental block and wasn’t able to do what I needed to.

SB: Do you feel your age (43) makes you more susceptible to injury and long recovery times?

EH: Not at all. I truly believe when people get injured they get injured. I’ve never seen a person that got injured that their performance wasn’t off. I think it’s amazing that we as people at a certain age you get an injury you can’t run as fast because of a hamstring but when they recover they seem to do better. It’s about what level can you come back to.

SB: In discussing possible opponents for your next bout, why Fres Oquendo?

EH: Oquendo just happened to be a replacement for the ranked number five guy so I made up my mind after that I was going to fight a ranked fighter. I wanted to raise the level. Risk is worth the reward. I felt my mind and body has to go through the same preparation for a “D” fighter vs. an “A” fighter.

SB: Oquendo is a big step up from Bates. What will be your plan going into the fight?

EH: Be the very best that I can be and be happy doing it.

SB: The fight is taking place in TX once again. Are you currently licensed to fight anywhere else in the US?

EH: I can fight anywhere else I just need a license to fight in each state.

SB: I believe there was talk of you fighting in Europe after the Bates fight. Was there any truth to that?

EH: A lot of people would like to see me fight in different places and I have a lot of opportunity to fight in different places to give the opportunity for people to see a world champion.

SB: You have made your plans for the future very public with your desire to be a world champion once again. Is there a particular champion or belt you are targeting?

EH: All of them in no particular order.

SB: Will you be satisfied with one of the different alphabet titles or are you looking to unify the belts to be the undisputed world champion?

EH: If I would be satisfied with one I wouldn’t be here now. I will not stop at one.

SB: Do you feel it would be difficult to obtain all four titles?

EH: I think the fighters will eventually fight each other and if they do fight each other I won’t have to fight all four people. If they choose not to I will fight all four, shouldn’t be a problem.

SB: Do you have an outline or plan to achieve your goal? Short term after Oquendo, or even 2007?

EH: I think the first quarter (2007) I will fight a fight and after the first quarter I am thinking I can fight three fights in one year. So in 2008 it will allow me to fight one more fight and become champion and allow me to take some time off for the Olympics and when they put on the Olympic torch I will announce my retirement. When the Olympics are over I will say my career is over. End it that way and have a world party, every where I go and celebrate and give people the opportunity in that part of the world to enjoy the whole one year celebration.

SB: Do you have any direct relation to the 2008 Olympics?

EH: Yes I do, I know a lot of people in China and I’ve got strong relationships and I would like to try to get a fight before the Olympics in China to kind of set the stage for what the Olympics are going to be.

SB: How do you feel about your critics? It seems everyone from the athletic commission, media and even friends continue to encourage you to retire. How does that make you feel?

EH: I don’t know… people have the opportunity to express their opinion. They have the right to their opinion. I am who I am. I was champion 4 times because someone said I can’t.

SB: Part of what fascinates me about the sport is not only the physical but the mental aspects of the game. How do you maintain focus and not let the critics and advice of friends affect you or put doubt into your head?

EH: Believer in the word of God, Jesus Lord. Only reason why I made from the ghetto and am able to feel free today and not be in jail. I choose to believe that is the only reason I am not envious, jealous, racist and feel that we have an opportunity and we have to understand that we only become insecure if someone is controlling our life you have to understand that you control your own destiny. I am going to try and if I fail I will try again because I don’t quit, eventually I will make it.

SB: Do you have any other motivation than wanting to become a five time world champion that drives you to compete?

EH: Be the very best that I can be in boxing. Best husband and best father, best friend and a man of God. I want to be the very best I can be. I won’t quit. I will learn from my mistakes. Good sportsmanship to be able to interject what a great champion is about.

SB: Will you ever give up your dreams of the title? Is there anything that could change your mind? Perhaps age or a devastating loss?

EH: No. It is 2006 now it was 1992 when I set this thing. I never thought about quitting.

SB: Thank you for your time and I wish you the best of luck in your pursuits of the title.

EH: Thank you.