Evander Holyfield
Evander Holyfield
Evander Holyfieldis an American former professional boxer. He held the undisputed world championship in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, earning him the nickname "The Real Deal". He is the only four-time world heavyweight champion, having won the WBA, WBC, IBF and lineal titles in 1990; the WBA, IBF and lineal titles again in 1993; and WBA and IBF titles in 1996; and the WBA title for a fourth time in 2000...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBoxer
Date of Birth19 October 1962
CityAtmore, AL
CountryUnited States of America
The big guys choose who they want to fight and they think about history: 'how many times I defended my title.' They try to break a record: 'how long I was there.' But if you look at the pedigree, who they fought, ain't nobody gonna give them credit for it because they fought a lot of people with no experience.
Deep down, I reckon the sweetest moment will come when it's finally all over. When, at last, I know that I can stop fighting. Of course it'll also be a little sad. The sweetest moments, y'know, always come with just a little sadness.
Madison Square Garden, November 1984. I don't recall taking too much fear into the ring. I knew I could fight. But I got a big shock. They put me in with this rough, tough veteran called Lionel Byarm. He tested me to the limit. But I fought my heart out and, in the end, I prevailed. The story of my life, in my very first fight.
Fighters find it hard to give up doing what they do best - fighting for a living.
Of course, it is me being able to reach my goal,
Why have anyone go through all that if you're still going to make the decision that he can't fight?
I knew with his mentality, his ego, he was gonna try to knock me out, which was gonna allow me to really hit him, ... But my corner stopped it. That was a disappointment I had to overcome, to be able to understand that they actually felt I shouldn't be taking no punches and that they didn't want me to get hurt. So now I have to find a new trainer.
I'm going back to the drawing board and pray and give it serious thought.
Well, I always knew that the best fighter would get into the hall of fame. There was no doubt in mind that I would get there. I really would rather get in there the right way and be happy once I get there because that means it's the end of your career and there are other things.
Get me a home and a good-paying job, take care of my family.
He meant so much for the sport and to the people.
They're looking at the wrong angle. If I was a guy who never been heavyweight champ of the world or a guy never made any money, then they say 'Well, I can understand.' But why do you have to understand for me to know the point, the commitment to what I believe? See, I have a commitment with God. Even before I became heavyweight champion of world, I said 'Lord, I want to do this for you and I will give you the glory. I will stay out here as long as you want me to.'
I still love Mike; it's just those demons that possess him and make him do things. He needs to find a new savior.
I was ready to tackle him, throw him down, do something that would get me disqualified.