Boxing Legend Evander Holyfield Stops Vinny Maddalone In Three

Former world title challenger Calvin Brock Wins On Undercard

Multi occasioned world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield continued his improbable comeback last night with an impressive performance at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, TX. Standing in the way of “The Real Deal” was New York journeyman Vinny Maddalone who was disposed of before the third round had come to a close.

Also on the bill, heavyweight Calvin Brock, 30-1 (23), came back from a failed bid to unseat IBF/IBO Champion Wladimir Klitschko by crushing Ralph “Wild, Wild” West, 17-11-1 (14), in one round.

At 44 years of age, Holyfield has no time to lose and dispensed with the customary feeling out period in the first round. A strong, hard as nails face first brawler, Maddalone was only too happy to oblige and the two went to close quarters; before long the younger man was cut from an unintentional head butt from the veteran ex-world champion.

The injury cracked Maddalone’s focus and allowed Holyfield to go to work. Maddalone had never before faced anyone of Holyfield’s experience or abilities, even a 44 year old Evander Holyfield. The 33 year old was clearly out of his depth and was absorbing a frightening amount of punishment. Any shots Maddalone landed were soaked up by the legendary iron chin of Holyfield.

By the third, Maddalone’s esteemed trainer Al Certo had seen enough and wisely pulled his man out of the fight near the end of the round. Maddalone had suffered two stoppage losses before, at the hands of Brian Minto, but the proud New Yorker had never been dominated quite like this before.

Maddalone, 27-4 (19), will probably learn from this schooling and come back a better fighter but the continued wins of Holyfield, 41-8-2 (27), during his latest comeback are a worry.

Mike Tyson did the same thing as Holyfield is doing now, ironically after Evander beat Iron Mike twice in the mid 1990’s; campaign through the ranks of second tier heavyweights until a world title shot is forced by the combination of victories and past reputation.

From 1999 to 2001, Tyson either beat or enjoyed no contest “victories” over Francois Botha, Orlin Norris, Julius Francis, Lou Savarese, Andrew Golota and Brian Nielsen.

Since returning from a medically imposed layoff last year, Holyfield has racked up wins over Jeremy Bates, Fres Oquendo and now Vinny Maddalone.

Tyson’s payoff for his campaign was a challenge against the reigning heavyweight champion of 2002, Lennox Lewis. Tyson enjoyed some success in the early rounds before absorbing a tremendous amount of punishment from the one of the hardest punching heavyweights in modern memory.

Will Holyfield get the same reward if he keeps beating journeymen?