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Everyone Loves Evander
Everyone Loves Evander
By Carlos Guzman
Contributing Writer
It didn’t matter that Evander Holyfield hadn’t won a fight in almost four years. It was irrelevant that Holyfield is a 44-year-old man who frequently visits the Mayo Clinic. No one even mentioned that Holyfield's opponent was an insurance salesman. The fans wanted to see a living legend, a true warrior, the “Real Deal”. It’s whom you imagine when you say “Gladiator”. Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield was cheered by 10,000 fans and generated a live gate of $750,000 last Friday night in Dallas. Holyfield pulled through like a champion against Jeremy Bates.
Although both men opened up attacking cautiously, at the end of the first round, a series of left hooks hurt Bates, and “The Real Deal” jumped on him, raining lefts and rights until the sound of the bell.
Round 2 opened up with KO on Holyfield’s mind. He went back on the attack and unloaded a series of right hands that tamed “The Beast,” forcing him back into his cage. Bates couldn’t defend himself, forcing referee Rafael Ramos to call a halt to the bout. Bates never complained.
Bates was gracious in defeat and told Holyfield he looked good. For Bates, the stoppage signaled the end of his career:
"I'm 32 years old," Bates recently joked. "It's time to get a real job."
Holyfield waved and blew kisses to the crowd like a presidential candidate -- the crowd responded with a standing ovation.
What’s next for the former heavyweight champion? ESPN recently stated that a fight with Sinan Samil Sam, rated No.18 in the world, is already in the works. Can Holyfield make it to the top? If he plays his cards right, I won’t be surprised if the title leaps off a champion’s waist and ends up on his lap. Welcome back, Evander.
Abraham-Miranda Bout Postponed
Reports from Germany are that IBF middleweight titlist Arthur Abraham has been bitten by the flu bug, thereby postponing this weekend's title defense against undefeated knockout artist Edison Miranda.
I contacted members of Team Miranda to get their reaction to this sudden attack of the flu -- they weren’t pleased:
"We were completely ready to knock this guy out. I think he knew this, which is why he 'suddenly got sick'. We have our doubts about whether he really is sick. He is scared of Miranda and there will be a fight in September or October. Now, he has even more time to think about what is about to come his way.
"Miranda will be traveling back to Puerto Rico and will return to Germany a week before the new date. We feel this guy was not ready for the fight. The truth is that he will never be ready for this fight!! Miranda is taking this rather smoothly, but insists he is going to crush this guy.
"If this continues to get delayed then it will be forced to another purse bid by the IBF. Either way, we will steal this guy's belt. "
No Klitschko-Maskaev
I recently contacted Oleg Maskaev's trainer, Victor Valle Jr., who squashed all thoughts about a clash between Maskaev and Wladimir Klitschko:
"This bout is 100 percent not happening" said Valle. “It’s also my understanding that a bout between Klitschko and Maskaev wouldn’t be approved by the WBC.”
On Sept. 2, Samuel Peter and James Toney are fighting in a WBC heavyweight title eliminator that will be televised by Showtime. Peter is the sportsbook favorite. The winner gets a shot at Maskaev's title
The word is that Serguei Lyakhovich is now the front-runner, and Shannon Briggs has been put on the back burner. Emanuel Steward has made it clear to the media why the Briggs bout is being pushed aside: "Shannon is the most dangerous opponent out there for Wladimir."
Malignaggi Ready for Return
Light welterweight contender Paulie "The Magic Man" Malignaggi has received medical clearance to return to the ring.
Malignaggi underwent surgery in mid-June to repair his fractured right cheekbone following a spirited but ultimately unsuccessful WBO world title challenge against Miguel Cotto.
On Tuesday, the New Yorker (21-1) returned to the Lahey Clinic & Medical Center in Burlington, Mass., where senior plastic surgeon Dr. David J. Bryan evaluated Malignaggi and gave him a green light to start training.
"I can start training right now and sparring in another month or so," a happy Malignaggi said.
"I'd already started running. This is what I've been waiting for. I'm antsy to get back in the gym and to fight again. I want to put my last fight behind me and hope to be fighting again by December so I can enjoy the holidays.
"I'll fight anybody out there, as long as they bring something to the table, financially and exposure-wise. They have to be first-rate."
In a recent conversation with Malignaggi he told me he wants IBF welterweight champion Juan Urango. He was swollen, but in good spirits. In typical Malignaggi fashion, he ended the interview with style:
“Paul Malignaggi is still here. I’m still pretty. The only thing that changed is that I’m a little richer.”
Look for Malignaggi in a tune-up bout in a DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing Show.
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Originally Posted by The_One77
Agreed.
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