Four-time World Heavyweight Champion Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield has set up a fight with Sherman “The Tank” Williams in November at the Joe Louis Arena.
The fight will occur on bonfire night, just over two weeks after Holyfield turns 48. Holyfield has promised firework’s on the night as he defends his little-regarded WBF Heavyweight crown.
Evander Holyfield
At 47, the former WBC, WBA, and IBF champion say he won’t stop boxing until he recaptures one of the main four versions of the top division crown.
In his last fight, the former undisputed cruiserweight ruler defeated South African Francois Botha via eighth-round TKO.
Sadly, he has only won one of his last seven challenges for any version of the World Title.
Many people believe that the time was right for “The Real Deal” to retire as far back as 2001. This was after his draw with John Ruiz.
But Holyfield has continued, winning four out of eleven bouts in nearly nine years.
Heyday
It’s a far cry from his heyday when he mixed it with the best of his generation, beating Mike Tyson twice, controversially drawing with Lennox Lewis, and having a fantastic trilogy with Riddick Bowe.
There’s no doubt that the man oozed class in his day. But that day has now passed.
Holyfield had his license revoked last year. On appeal, Holyfield was told he could have his license back for one more fight. This stipulation was for the victory over Botha, which now seems to have earned him one more.
People think as long as he is competitive and his faculties stand up, he should be able to follow his dream.
A defeat to William’s would hopefully see the final bell rung on his legendary career.
WBN Editor Phil Jay is an experienced boxing news writer. Follow WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews, Instagram, and Twitter @worldboxingnews.
