im actually in the middle of reading jim thomas book on holyfield (thomas was his attorney in the 90's--dont think hhes with vander anymore)---its a pretty good book and has some great insight into holyfield's psyche and his utter 100% belief in god and in himself...........and how that positive thinking carried him thru the first tyson fight to victory......that was at age 34 when he still had a great fight or two left in him--now hes pushing 44!---10 yrs later after the tyson fight....alot of folks thought he was done then! the fact is no matter how much confidence and optimism you have we are all human and we all deteriorate and slow down as we age--its a fact or life..and vander is not just 44--hes n old 44 whos been thru some wars and some beatings that have caught up to him...........

the one thing holy doesnt realize is that if he did retire today he would retire as a champion........he will always be a champion......after all these years and after all the illness and infirmity we still consider Ali a champion, same goes with other legendary fighters of the past---hes already reached the pantheon and he doesnt realize it and that whats sad.........