Holyfield begins final comeback

[Shaggy]

Evander Holyfield begins a comeback on Friday which he hopes will end in an unprecedented fifth world title.

America's former undisputed heavyweight champion, now aged 43, fights journeyman Jeremy Bates in Dallas.

Holyfield has won only one of his last six fights, and his last loss was so was lacklustre that New York boxing officials revoked his licence.

But the four-time title holder said: "I am supposed to retire on top and I know that I can."

Holyfield had no problem getting a licence in Texas, and he weighed in on Thursday at 100kg (220lbs).

Bates, who has a 21-11-1 record and had quit the ring before Holyfield came calling, weighed in at 102kg (225.5lbs).

Holyfield, who claims to have a ranked opponent lined up for his next bout, said: "This is just to let people know that I can fight.

He plans to have a title fight in 2007 and to have all the belts around his waist, "by the time that Olympics comes," in 2008.

"When they put out the flame, I'll be retired," he said. "Maybe right there in Beijing."

The four significant world heavyweight titles are currently held by four different boxers, and Holyfield believes his return to the fray will create a stir.

"People are going to say 'can he do it?'. That's going to bring interest," he said. "If I just beat one of them guys, everybody will go crazy."

[spud_gun]

Why oh why is he doing this?

He does not need the money.

He's lost his last half dozen fights. He's taken an awful lot of punches in those fights. He should put his name to a toaster or somthing and retire and stay retired.

The various American boxing commisions have an awful lot to answer for in respect to letting people like Holyfield continue to fight. Ditto his trainers, corner men and promoter.

[Rich]

I guess with him it's in the blood - he can't seem to shake it off.

[Mumsafan]

I hate it when old boxers do this. They should retire gracefully and sell sandwich toasters or something.

[paulcooper4]

hes gonna completely cabbage himself. I cant understand the slurred ****e that comes out of his trap as it is.

[rezaeos]

Back in the Eighties when Tyson was at his peak, I predicted Evander to be the man to destroy Tyson. My mates laughed at me calling him a blown up Cruiserweight. After 20 years and successive losses someone should talk some sense to this man. If you listen to Evander talk today compared to back when he won the Bronze Olympic medal, he sounds very incoherent and somewhat "punch drunk". Add vision issues, why would the authorities grant the man a license?

[Bob]

Back in the Eighties when Tyson was at his peak, I predicted Evander to be the man to destroy Tyson. My mates laughed at me calling him a blown up Cruiserweight. After 20 years and successive losses someone should talk some sense to this man. If you listen to Evander talk today compared to back when he won the Bronze Olympic medal, he sounds very incoherent and somewhat "punch drunk". Add vision issues, why would the authorities grant the man a license?

Money! This is ridiculous, though it should be remembered sport is an addiction. Hard to give up, many go on to become other addicts and / or depressed after leaving their respective sports.

I had an minor injury recently and even that left me down as i couldn't be as active as normal - true, sad and irrational as that sounds.

[spud_gun]

Money! This is ridiculous, though it should be remembered sport is an addiction. Hard to give up, many go on to become other addicts and / or depressed after leaving their respective sports.

I had an minor injury recently and even that left me down as i couldn't be as active as normal - true, sad and irrational as that sounds.

tis true. ******s Sprain is a terrible injury.

[Bob]

tis true. ******s Sprain is a terrible injury.

[kurtangle01]

It just goes to show what a poor state the heavyweight division is when a 43 year old past it fighter can return and almost immedietly get in the title mix. He should give up and go on to pastures new. It's in his blood I guess but if he's not careful he'll end up getting seriously injured.

[bazza76]

I hate it when old boxers do this. They should retire gracefully and sell sandwich toasters or something.

I think grilling machine man is actually his motivation. He honestly thinks he can do this I would think.

[Shaggy]

He beat the insurance salesman then!


Evander Holyfield launched his comeback bid with a second-round stoppage of journeyman Jeremy Bates in Dallas.

The 43-year-old former undisputed heavyweight champion had Bates in trouble at the end of the first round before the bell sounded.

Holyfield continued his onslaught at the end of the second and the referee stepped in to stop the fight with just four seconds of the round remaining.

The American is hoping to claim an unprecedented fifth world title.

"I'm so glad to get the opportunity to get back in the ring and show the people that I wasn't not a boxing man because I'm old," said Holyfield.

"I was able to do the things that I haven't been able to do in five years. I was able to slip punches, I was able to use my foot speed, I was able to go in and out."

Holyfield was fighting for the first time since losing to Larry Donald in November 2004, a defeat that was so lacklustre that New York boxing officials revoked his licence.

He plans to have a title fight in 2007 and to have all the belts around his waist, "by the time that Olympics comes," in 2008.

Insurance salesman Bates, who now has a 21-12-1 record, had quit the ring before Holyfield came calling.

[JohnOK]

Jeremy Bates the Tennis player would have put up more of a fight!

[JCase]

He should just stay retired. Serves him right if he gets his arse kicked senseless

[FowlerLeftFoot]

The one only veteran that i was delighted to see out of retirement was George Foreman.