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
Well, of course a boxing match is hard because boxing isn't set for you to do good. You have to force your will upon someone, but dancing you don't have to force your will. It should be a lot easier because if I make a mistake I don't get hit.
They don't show Olympic boxing on TV in prime time. They haven't done that since 1988. In 1992, they showed one: Oscar De La Hoya. In 1996, they didn't show it. In 2000, they didn't show it. In 2004, they didn't show it. In 2008, they did not even mention boxing at all. You would think the United States didn't have a boxing team in 2008.
The game's been good to me and I hope I've been good to the game. I'm 50 years old and I've pretty much did everything that I wanted to do in boxing.
I beat Larry Holmes and George Foreman. I whupped Mike Tyson twice. I had my ear chewed off and spat on the ground in front of me. I've seen everything it is possible to see in boxing. I know this business better than anyone. So I live and die by my own decisions.
That's the biggest problem with boxing in the United States. They do not promote it like they used to, when it used to be Howard Cosell and they showed it on 'Wide World of Sports.' Everybody knew all the fighters. Everybody was looking forward to the year when the Olympics came on.
A champion shows who he is by what he does.
I was ready to tackle him, throw him down, do something that would get me disqualified.
I still love Mike; it's just those demons that possess him and make him do things. He needs to find a new savior.
Get me a home and a good-paying job, take care of my family.
Of course, it is me being able to reach my goal,
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.
Why have anyone go through all that if you're still going to make the decision that he can't fight?
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.'
He meant so much for the sport and to the people.