2008 A.P. Photo: Evander Holyfield
New York, NY – This coming Saturday night, future Hall of Fame inductee and ring legend Evander Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KOs) will face battle tested but often bested pug Sherman Williams (34-11, 19 KOs) in a slated 10 round heavyweight main event from the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Televised coverage begins at 9 PM ET on PPV.
AGED EX CHAMP SAYS HE STILL BELIEVES!
Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield started his career at light heavyweight and successfully moved up to dominate and unify all belts in the cruiserweight division when the bar was set at 190 lbs. Evander then catapulted to the heavyweight ranks and became the only fighter in fistic combat history to win a crown four times. At the highest weight on the scale, Holyfield fought virtually every great fighter of his era and has wins against and shared memorial wars with some of the best of the best. Usually pitted against his adversity as the smaller man, Evander was able to accomplish his success by portraying a high work rate of sustained activity which displayed an arsenal of blistering combinations while maintaining excellent hand and foot speed. Evander was also known for his tremendous boxing IQ, chin of granite, “sleeper” power, and a determined filled heart.
“V” IS 48 GOING ON 68 OR 38?
However, boxing is a young man’s sport
; and all the aforementioned attributes contribute to that theory. At the progressive age of 48, the question raised to Evander is can he still command facility in talent and manifest an emphatic triumph over the odds that require such a demanding and tasking work rate of doing so?
ANY THING LEFT IN THE TANK’S TANK?
Sherman “Tank” Williams is no “spring chicken” either. At the age of 39, this near 14 year veteran journeymen, albeit always willing to throw down, has had more downs than ups and has never faced anyone near the caliber of opponent to that of Holyfield. Although Williams record in his last ten bouts may read impressive (9-1, 4 KOs), he was adding to his resume beating on guys that my four year old niece could whip on.
WHERE ARE WE GOING WITH THIS?
Having spent time in Holyfield’s training camp just yesterday; the topic of conversation usually addressed by the media to him is why do you keep fighting? Over the years, Evander has made it quite clear to all those that will listen that is goal is to be undisputed champion one last time. I caught up with Holyfield after a very impressive training session and asked him a few questions regarding his future and what drives him. During the conversation, Holyfield explained that he still enjoyed and loved to box and expressed the desire to fight three times this year. He is mindful of his age but honestly believes he still has what it takes to dethrone any of the current belt holders. He also offered the notion that money isn’t the motivation and feels that if the money is there for any of the belt holders to face him, they will get money hungry and he will get his opportunity.
UNDER CARD IS ALL ABOUT THE HEAVYWEIGHTS BUT LIGHT ON INTRIGUE
Promising contender Travis Kauffman (21-1, 18 KOs) squares off against seven foot tall giant thug Julius Long (15-14, 13 KOs) in a proposed 8 round tilt.
Former world title challenger Monte Barrett (34-9, 20 KOs) takes on hapless scrapper Charles Davis (19-24-2, 4 KOs) over ten rounds or less.
John Signorella