Holyfield vs. Valuev on December 20th – Latest Boxing News
November 13th, 2008
By Eric Thomas: Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield (42-9-2, 27 KOs) will be getting a second chance at a heavyweight title in a little more than a year, this time against World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Nikolay Valuev (49-1, 34 KOs) on December 20th at the at Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland.
Holyfield, now 46, lost his last fight, a 12-round unanimous decision loss to heavyweight Sultan Ibragimov in October 2007. Holyfield was never competitive and lost almost every round to the Russian Ibragimov. The problems that effected Holyfield on that night, namely his lack of speed, an inability to pull the trigger and slowed reflexes, were a mirror of the same problems that he experienced in consecutive losses to Chris Byrd, James Toney and Larry Donald in 2002 to 2003.
Following those losses, Holyfield was reportedly banned from boxing in New York by the New York State Athletic Commission because of “diminished skills.” Holyfield would then take two years off, healing his injured shoulder which had hampered him since the Byrd fight. After he made his comeback in 2006, Holyfield looked good beating moderately good opponents Fres Oquendo, Vinny Maddalone and Lou Savarese.
At the time, it was hard to tell whether Holfyfield had regained some of his lost skills after recovering from his shoulder injury or if he was merely looking good due to the lower level of his opposition. Whatever the case, Holyfield looked bad in losing to Ibragimov and not like the same fighter that had beaten Oquendo, Maddalone and Savarese.
Valuev, 35, regained his World Boxing Association heavyweight title with a 12-round decision over John Ruiz in September. Valuev has previously lost his WBA title to Ruslan Chagaev in a controversial 12-round decision in April 2007. However, Valuev was unable to land a rematch with Chagaev, who has suffered both illnesses and injuries, wiping out rematches with Valuev.
At 7-feet 320 lbs, Valuev presents a huge obstacle for the 6’2” Holyfield to deal with. Valuev will be enjoying over a 100 pound weight advantage over Holyfield when they step foot in the ring in December. Holyfield weighed a skinny 211 in his last fight, which will be putting him at a big disadvantage against the bear-like Valuev. Holyfield’s speed advantage won’t matter much if he doesn’t let his hands go, a problem that he suffered in his last fight against Ibragimov, as well as in his losses to Byrd, Toney and Donald.
Tags: 26 Responses to “Holyfield vs. Valuev on December 20th – Latest Boxing News”
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holyfield will win
i havent seen evanders last 3 fights my heart wants him to win as i honestly believe he was the greatest heavyweight to watch ever power 8 stamina 9 all round ability 9 and chin 10 he could box stand and trade on the inside and out always giving away large weight difference if hes half as good as he was wen he fought ruiz hel still be to good for the boring ponderous giant, watever the outcome thank you evander for the years of pleasure youve given us
Valuev is crnogorac!!!!!!!!!
Guys,
Valuev said Holyfield is a Great sportsman, and he will try his best to win living legend
Holyfield will put a BEATDOWN on the ruskie
Haven’t scoured the net it doesn’t look like anyone has any information about what channels it’s getting shown on (if any) in any country. I’m in England also and normally a fight like this Sky would edge out Setanta and pick it up. So far nothing..
Where can I watch this fight on tv??
do anyone know if they show the match on t.v in canada?
is this on any t.v channel in england?
Does anyone know if the fiht will be televised in England.
I am in the UK, does anyone know if the fight will be televised here?
Will this fight be on ppv in the U.S does anyone know? hope its cheaper than dec 6 fight last night
Still remember your quote from the bible when you beat Tyson. Fil 4:13. God is My Strength!! Go Evander!! You’ll Make It. I have my faith in you!!
I can’t wait to see Holyfield back in the ring and hopefully KO the huge Valuev.
Isn’t boxing dead?? GO George St. Pierre!!!!!! RIP Evander!!! Long Live MMA!!!!
i would like to say that “there is nothin to be said”. Holyfield is disadvantaged by 11 years and 111lbs, thats a fact. He must be bored in retirement, i am too occassionally, but it beats workin. Evander should take up a retired persons sport like fishing or surfing and leave boxing to the hard heads.
hollyfield aint got a chance, hes to old now and this bloke is an animal!! back in his day yes, holyfield would have beaten him but the
rob32, what were you watching? lennox won the first fight easily. it was he who was robbed, not evander. were you watching it through star spangled spectacles?
evander was robbed in 2 fights with lennox lewis by decision in which it was obvious he won. against john ruiz as well, and he actually won against Ibragimov. he should hold the title now anyhow. everyone has been hating on the best boxer ever for years now and its about time all critcs are proven wrong. i cant wait to see him crowned champ for the fifth time. something never done before. i am certain he will NOT be denied. he is the only heavyweight ever who has beaten all the great boxers of his era other than Ali. the only thing that makes Evander #1 and Ali #2 as the best ever is the numerous times he has succeeded after failing, and it is about to happen yet again. only this time he wont let the judges decide. also lets not forget he was undefeated and unified champ in other weight classes before he even became a heavyweight. THATS RIGHT, not only the best heavywieght ever, but the greatest BOXER of all time. Holyfield by KO in round 6 to seal his legacy!!!!!!!!
The real deal is my hero, but I think my hero should hang up the gloves, sit by the poolside and relax now.
He is not as fast or powerful as he was before and don’t stand a chance against the 2 Russian boys or even the young gun David Haye. I don’t want to see him hurt, so Holyfield my man, its time to go dude .
I have met the great Heavyweight of our era: Ali and he is a perfect example of why the real deal needs to go now
EVANDER HOLIFIELD WILL PUT A BRILLIANT FIGHT ON
IF U THINK ABOUT IT VALUEV IS SLOW AND HOLIFIELD IS FAST HE BEAT MIKE TYSON WHEN HE WAS IN HIS PRIME
HE BEAT GEORGE FOREMAN I THINK AND I RECON HE WILL BEAT THE BEAST FROM THE EAST.
IF HE DOESNT HE IS TO OLD AND I GARUNTEE U DAVID HAYE WILL GO ON ABOUT FIGHTING NIKOLAY VALUEV HAYE THE FASTER AND POWERFULL GUY. HOLIFIELD PLEASE WIN.
i agree!!!! holyfield by ko in the 7th round
i fully expect holyfield to win this fight and then unify all major belts. never count out the warrior. the greatest heavyweight in boxing history. he is to determined and too great. i am very excited to watch him prove all naysayers wrong.
great win by KO for VALUEV the giant…
This is truly shocking news, has the sport gone completely mad? I, like millions of other fans across the world am a huge admirer of Holyfields, i have even had the pleasure of meeting the man. His contribution to the sport has been second to none, and his heart, courage and determination to win has been nothing short of a phenomenon. This fight i’m afraid is one step too far, it is verging on distasteful. Will the governing bodies not protect this great warrior? Evander is obviously to brave for his own good, I fear that his greatest assets may actually be his undoing in the end. Its seems as a sport, we have not learned from the past, I fear a another legend may be permanantly damaged or worse.
no chance for hlyfiel, Russian Ivan will give him 10th loss.