HOLYFIELD: I WILL RETIRE AS A CHAMPION

[LarryB]

He said he plans to fight maybe another 10 times and can still be champ....

please holyfield retire and dont ruin your legacy.
must be deluded

[sexydarin]

It would take a miracle. Holyfield better do some heavy praying.

[LarryB]

Full story

Evander Holyfield has told that he plans to carry on boxing and become world heavyweight champion for a fifth time.
The 43-year-old has not stepped into the ring since November 2004 when he laboured to a points loss to Larry Donald.

That result made it three straight losses for the American and led to calls for him to end his distinguished career.

However, Holyfield insists he has no intention of retiring and is even talking about having another 10 fights before he hangs up his gloves.

"I want to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world again," Holyfield said.

"I wouldn't talk about it if I didn't think I could do it.

"This time I'm going to do it a little differently. I'm not going to jump into the top 10 like I usually do. I'm going to work my way up."

When questioned about how many fights he was planning to have, he answered: "Could be eight, could be 10, could be more."

After losing to compatriot Donald, his fifth defeat in his last eight outings, Holyfield was hit with an indefinite medical suspension by the New York State Athletic Commission.

Under those terms, 'The Real Deal' is unable to fight anywhere in the United States until he is cleared by a doctor.

Holyfield feels his performances in his last two fights against Donald and James Toney were not a true reflection of his ability as he had not allowed himself to fully recover from a shoulder operation.


The man from Atlanta has now had an 18-month period of rest that has allowed him get ready to go again.

"I had a shoulder operation and I hadn't recovered," he said on his previous two performances.

"With my way of thinking, I thought I could beat both of those guys in the shape that I was in.

"Unfortunately I was wrong. Now that I've had a year-and-a-half with no fighting and no stress on my shoulder, everything's okay."

News of Holyfield's decision to climb back inside the ropes will not gain approval from a vast majority inside the fight game.

Yet the former cruiserweight champion, who's professional debut was back in 1984, feels those that really know him will understand his reasons for fighting on.

"I don't think there's a lot of people that want me to quit," Holyfield said.

"If people really knew me they know I'm supposed to be on top, and that's how I am supposed to retire.

"When people have faith and they are looking for a way to retire, they want it to be on top. It's not the way that you start, it's the way that you end.

"How many people are still a champ when they retired? I choose to retire as a champion."

[Violent Demise]

They don't come more hard headed than Evander

[Rahman]

He said he plans to fight maybe another 10 times and can still be champ....

please holyfield retire and dont ruin your legacy.
must be deluded

Hahah nice dream from Holyfield . . . Maybe he can make a holy VS Rahman again and be champ . . .

[zacbox]

What a fool. Give up Evander you're becoming an embarassment and risking your health.

[Jody Lane]

I hate to say it but the title of this thread should be;

Holyfield: I will retire as a vegetable

And I am being serious too. Floyd Patterson, 15 years ago, spoke fluently, seemed to have all his senses and then wham, he was out of it. And he took some beatings (though some were mighty quick ones) but not the kind Holyfield has been taking. I know Floyd got knocked totally out where as I don't think Evander has been rendered totally unconscious but that means he has been taking even more blows to the head. Can we say Ali?

[jbirdy]

when i recently heard an interview with holyfild he can't even talk properly. he's slurring and stuttering. he's a mess now. no way he should carry on fighting.

[AdamGB]

I'd rather retire a legent than chase an alphabet title and make a fool out of myself.

[LBSCFC]

read the interview on sky sports website. very worrying but weve been saying that for 3 years now

[LarryB]

Surely his family or team around him should convince him to hang up his gloves.

Either they have and he wont listen or they also believe he can compete at the top.

He is so rich so why is he going on like this,

Chill out Evander and enjoy your life

[porkypara]

How Evander will end his boxing days=

[Gandalf]

holyfield is off his rocker.....he will NEVER be champ again....

[LawHoops]

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.........

[chris6878]

i heard nevada wont even give him a license!