NYSAC to Holyfield: “Enough is Enough.”

Evander Holyfield’s next fight won’t be at heavyweight. Yes, he will be fighting but it won’t be with any other current professional pugilist. His next bout will be with the NYSAC whom issued Holyfield an indefinite medical suspension for his recent lackluster performances punctuated by his latest fight versus Larry Donald. As you may already know Holyfield made his intentions to continue competing very clear right after his latest fight and in response the New York State Athletic Commission ruled this way to ensure Evander’s future outside the ring “I’m not looking to end his career if it’s not warranted, but the health and safety of the boxer is the main concern of the state commission,” NYSAC chairman Ron Stevens told The Atlanta Journal Constitution “To my practiced mind, Holyfield shouldn’t be fighting anymore. It’s the responsibility of the state athletic commission to save a boxer from himself. Evander Holyfield has absorbed enough punishment throughout his great career. It’s time the bleeding stopped.”

This type of suspension would preclude Holyfield from fighting anywhere in the US unless this ban is lifted. While this may still leave open the possibility of future fights overseas, it is still quite a deterrent for a man with such a large family and so many responsibilities to abandon for such a match. Evander (38-8-2) of course will challenge the ruling and has reiterated his intention to continue his professional career at age forty-two. His response to the paper was as consistent as it is predictable. “Why do they want to usher me out? What have I done to this game that they don’t want me in it anymore?” Holyfield told the newspaper. “Do you really care about a person so much that you want to protect him from himself? Ain’t that much love in the world to go against a person’s will.”