Holyfield gets WBO title shot

[Chris]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/6928397.stm

Evander Holyfield has been given the chance to become a five-time world champion at the age of 44.
The American will face WBO heavyweight title holder Sultan Ibragimov in October after the Russian's scheduled opponent pulled out citing illness.

Ibragimov was set for a unification bout with current WBA champion Ruslan Chagaev of Uzbekistan.

"This is the first step on my quest to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world," said Holyfield.

"I'm glad Sultan Ibragimov was willing to give me a shot."

Holyfield is a former cruiserweight world champion who stepped up a weight to unify the heavyweight division.

He last fought for a world title when he was out-pointed by Chris Byrd in 2002.

After losing a one-sided fight against Larry Donald in November 2004, Holyfield was suspended by the New York Athletic Commission on medical grounds.

After the ban was lifted, he returned to the ring last August and has won four bouts against journeyman opponents.

Having won the cruiserweight crown in 1986, Holyfield went on to dominate the heavyweight scene with wins over the likes of Michael Moorer, Riddick Bowe and Mike Tyson.

If he beats Ibragimov, he will become the second oldest heavyweight champion in history, behind George Foreman.

Ibragimov said: "Of course I am disappointed that Chagaev pulled out and won't allow me to unify our titles, but fighting a legend like Evander Holyfield is even better.

"And though I respect what he has done in his career, once the bell rings it will be all business, because he is trying to take what I have worked so hard for."

[Hollowman]

Jesus. He's not going to be happy until someone's mopping his brains off the canvas.

[Red Chilli]

I've written him off before but Holyfield is doing "a Bruno" here.

Give it up Evander, whilst you still can

[paulcooper4]

To be honest, the heavyweight scene is so ****in pathetic right now he will probably win it.

[Chris]

He'll be lucky to come out of this one in a coma and not on a paving slab in a Moscow morgue. Hes finished and should of packed in ages ago, the heavyweight division is bad but not bad enough for him to do anything.

[Gazzla]

Holyfield is going to end up well and truely monged the rate he is going, some people just don't know when to quit

[paulcooper4]

Holyfield is going to end up well and truely monged the rate he is going, some people just don't know when to quit

Holyfield has spoken like a mong since his early-mid twenties tho to be fair. I dont reckon theres any more monginess to be gained there

[Red Chilli]

Holyfield has spoken like a mong since his early-mid twenties tho to be fair. I dont reckon theres any more monginess to be gained there

His wife is a doctor isn't she? You think she'd know better

Maybe she's got her eyes on a tidy will

[Howard_lfc]

His wife is a doctor isn't she? You think she'd know better

Maybe she's got her eyes on a tidy will

You can't blame him for wanting to come back if he misses the game but those who issue the licences should have more sense when giving licences out instead of looking at the dollars the fight can make.

[Imy]

The problem with many sportsmen is when to give up.

Take Ali, the greatest of all time but not in his last few fights, more recently Eubank even Barrera. These guys need that rush, that adrenalin because sitting at home with the wife and kids is just not the same.

[Guest]

He'll finish worse than George Foreman.

[Darth Marty]

If he wants to do it I say let him, I bet he would rather go out fighting (maybe literally) than pissing himself in a care home somewhere.

He's a big boy and can make his own decisions.

[spud_gun]

He'll finish worse than George Foreman.

Don't see a problem with Foreman. For a former professional boxer he's surprisingly lucid.

[kurtangle01]

If he wants to do it I say let him, I bet he would rather go out fighting (maybe literally) than pissing himself in a care home somewhere.
He's a big boy and can make his own decisions.

[kurtangle01]

He'll finish worse than George Foreman.

You never know he might end up with a nice line food grills aswell.