Boxing: Holyfield Signs to Fight Just After 48th Birthday

Evander Holyfield, former heavyweight champion has agreed to fight Sherman “The Tank” Williams on November 5, 2010. Shortly after Evander Holyfield turns 48 years old, the date is set. The deal has not been finalized, although the fight is expected to take place in the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

Into the ring, Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KOs) has not stepped since his 8th round knockout of Francois Botha. For a non-consequential minor belt, the fight was on April 10th in Las Vegas. Before that, all the way back in 2008 was Holyfield’s last fight when he lost a controversial decision to Nikolai Valuev in Switzerland.

When Holyfield was in his prime, questions will always loom about the mysterious heart condition that almost ended his career, although he still looks to be in shape. The current undisputed heavyweight champ, Vitali Klitschko will notice this fight, hopes Holyfield.

Holyfield’s manager, Kevin Sanders said of a possible Klitschko fight, “We hope to be able to fight Vitali Klitschko for the WBC belt. I have spoken already to the WBC and [president] Jose Sulaiman has already blessed it for me. I am speaking to the Klitschko people and I think they will do it.”

Fresh off a unanimous decision loss to Manuel Charr in October is Williams (34-11-2, 19 Kos), although he has managed a win against one time prospect Jameel McCline. Sanders is hinting he may put the fight on as a pay-per-view fight and he believes Williams’s style will make for an entertaining fight.

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Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao Preview: Boxing

In a highly anticipated boxing match July 17, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao finally go toe-to-toe.

With 25 wins by knockout, bet on boxing star, Mayweather Jr. is a perfect 41-0. in seven different weight divisions, Manny Pacquiao is the first boxer in history to win seven different titles. Any boxing fan, casual or die-hard, has been dying to see the two faces each other in the ring. however, the two have never fought, after a March 13 fight fell through.

With each fighter scheduled to take a split of $50 million up front, the March 13 bout was supposed to take place at MGM Grand Las Vegas. Over a conflict over Mayweather’s insistence that Pacquiao undergo Olympic-style drug testing, the fight fell through, which can take blood samples at any time. Pacquiao refused to fight unless the drug tests were scheduled, and the fight was subsequently cancelled.

About a fight between Mayweather and boxing betting favorite, Pacquiao, Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum is still “very optimistic”. For both the MGM Grand Las Vegas and at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, he has reportedly reserved the date of November 13.

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, has stated that he and his fighter want to “shut (Mayweather) up” in a November 13 bout. He has stated that he and his fighter want to “shut (Mayweather) up” in a November 13 bout, “We’re going to fight November 13th against somebody and me and Manny both hope that it’s Mayweather”.

 

The lack of a clear favorite would be the beauty of a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. a dull match would be very unlikely and both fighters rank among the best of all time. Although Pacquiao took a bit of a hit with the drug testing issue, he is still right up there with Mayweather in terms of fan appreciation he has been much more aggressive in scheduling another fight with him.