Evander Holyfield facing Vitor Belfort on September 11th is a fight that divides the sport and puts into question its integrity.
The fact Triller knew Holyfield wouldn’t get sanctioned in California and then moved to the fight to Florida to he would tell you a lot about the situation.
Holyfield is 58, about twenty years past his prime. Belfort is 44 and still in solid shape for his age, meaning this fight has no business taking place anywhere.
Explaining how the fight ended up in good old Florida, the state that will seemingly sanction anything thrown at it, Kavanaugh did not address the elephant in the room.
“Heavyweight fights are always the most exciting clashes. This is a heavyweight fight between two true warriors,” Kavanaugh told ESPN.
“The CSAC wouldn’t sanction Belfort vs. Holyfield, which meant the event had to be shifted to Florida.”
Kavanaugh failed to state that one of those warriors is approaching his 59th birthday. Als that he has already been affected by his lengthy career.
Taking more punches as he pushes towards 60 years old does nothing but line the pockets of those who wish to stage it. “The Real Deal” participating in boxing is an accident waiting to happen.
It may only take one punch that you will never be able to take back.
Only last week, an 18-year-old girl died after fighting. So what makes anyone believe it can’t happen to a boxer forty years older?
Drafting in Holyfield happened due to Oscar De La Hoya getting Covid just a few days after seeing Belfort look like a beast at the media workout.
“We wish Oscar [De La Hoya] a speedy recovery. He’s a champion and a warrior,” added Kavanaugh. “We know he’ll fight this and win.
“We look forward to seeing him in the ring on the anniversary of Fight Club’s launch.”
Luckily, De La Hoya was out of the hospital pretty quickly and is now recovering at home, per WBN’s Dan Rafael.
Regarding Holyfield, the former undisputed champion in two weight classes is pushing on with his desire to fight.
“I’ve been training hard for months, and it looks like another cancellation,” Holyfield said. “That doesn’t stop my determination or what God has planned for me.
“No matter who I fight or who the promoter is in the future, I promise my fans I will step back in the ring at least one more time before I lay my gloves to rest for good.
“I thank my fans for always standing by me no matter what,” he added.
EVANDER HOLYFIELD RETIRED
Back in 2011, when Holyfield first retired, it took a lot to get him to stay out of the ring at that time. He was on a quest at 48 to continue fighting until he won a fifth heavyweight title.
Eventually and gladly, he saw sense. But to be given another opportunity a decade later is shocking and wrong on so many levels.
Whoever wants to see this fight needs to question their motives, as glancing at social media several times, it’s been tough to find a single positive comment about Holyfield fighting again.
The views expressed in this article are opinions of Phil Jay.
