ZURICH – Despite his majority decision defeat to WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev, Evander Holyfield has ruled out retirement for now and wants another shot at being world champion for the fifth time.
Despite an impressive display from 46-year-old Holyfield here on Saturday night, the judges scored the fight 114-114, 116-112, 115-114 in Valuev’s favour as the giant Russian successfully defended the vacated title he won against John Ruiz in August.
Holyfield, who beat the likes of Riddick Bowe, Mike Tyson, George Foreman and James ‘Buster’ Douglas in the 1990s, has now lost five of his last nine fights, but was the crowd favourite here at the 12 500 sell-out Hallenstadion.
Despite being crowned world champion in 1990, 1993, 1996 and 2000, he now has a record of ten defeats, 42 wins with 27 knockouts and two draws from his 54 fights.
But having gone 12 rounds with Valuev, Holyfield looked in top physical shape and says the shoulder injury he was carrying in his previous fight, against Sultan Ibragimov in October 2007, is now history.
With several voices in the boxing world questioning whether he should continue, Holyfield says he will prove any doubters wrong.
‘I don’t doubt myself, people doubt me, but I have a history of proving people wrong. I always make good bets, I know who I am. Unfortunately, I was injured before my previous fight and I actually thought I could win even though my shoulder was bust up. I didn’t complain, I just went out and fought,’ he said. – Nampa-AFP
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
