Evander Holyfield is convinced that neither size nor age will matter in Saturday´s showdown with Nikolai Valuev. The 46-year-old challenger is determined to become the oldest heavyweight champion in the history of boxing when he takes on the Russian Giant in front of a sell-out crowd of 12.500 fans in Zurich. In order to put his name in the record books, though, he needs to defeat the biggest and tallest champion of all time. “I will display a performance that will surprise many people,” Holyfield said at today´s official press conference.
“I have been asked about my age so many times but that is fine. It is not about how old you are. It is about how old you feel and what you can do inside the ring. I am very experienced and I know what I have to do against Valuev. I am in great shape and I really look forward to Saturday night.”
Valuev will make his second appearance in Switzerland after stopping Jameel McCline in the third round of their meeting in January 2007. “It is great to be back in Switzerland,” Valuev said. “It is a great country and the people are very nice. It is something very special to fight an accomplished champion such as Evander Holyfield. He is a living legend and I am full of respect for him. However, once you are inside the ring, neither names nor titles matter any more. I have trained very well and I will put on a good performance on Saturday night.”
Manager Wilfried Sauerland admitted the showdown will be one of the biggest fights he has ever staged. “This is a very special bout,” he said. “Holyfield has been heavyweight champion four times. He faces the biggest champion of all time. It is a clash of the superlatives.” Philippe Huber, CEO of co-organisers Kentaro, believes that Saturday´s clash will help to put Switzerland on the world boxing map. “We are keen to establish Switzerland as a top venue for great boxing fights,” he said. “This is truly an outstanding event.”
A relaxed Holyfield also happily answered questions that were not related to boxing. A curious reporter wanted to know whether he really lived in a house with more than 100 rooms. “Yes, that is true,” Holyfield said. “I have been blessed and I am very thankful for my lifestyle. I have worked very hard for it. And that is what I will do on Saturday night: Work hard to win the title.”
Asked about how many rooms his house in Russia has, Valuev smiled. “My new house is not finished yet. These kind of things take a little longer in Russia.”
Margarito-Mosley Holiday Gift Packs
LOS ANGELES (December 17, 2008) – The Antonio Margarito vs. Sugar Shane Mosley World Welterweight Championship fight is just the ticket for a great holiday gift! There are TWO great Holiday Gift Packs available. The first package is only $295 and includes four tickets, regularly priced at $75 each, and four commemorative Margarito-Mosley fight T-shirts. For only $585, you can upgrade your Holiday Pack with four tickets, regularly priced at $150, four fight T-shirts and a boxing glove signed by both fighters. These packages are a great holiday gift for any boxing fan.
There are only 200 Holiday Packs available and they must be purchased through www.aegtickets.com/boxingholidaypack.
Additionally, fans purchasing over $1000 in tickets online at www.ticketmaster.com (offer not valid through TicketMaster phones, outlets and STAPLES Center box office) or purchasing a group of 10 or more tickets totaling over $1000 by calling 877-AEG-TICKETS (234-8425), will receive a boxing glove signed by both fighters. This autographed glove promotion is also limited to the first 200 people who spend $1,000 or more. Order now!
Remaining tickets, priced at $300, $150, $75 and $50, are on sale at all TicketMaster outlets, by phone at 213-480-3232, online at www.ticketmaster.com and at STAPLES Center box office.
Promoted by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, the Margarito vs. Mosley World Welterweight Championship fight takes place on Saturday, January 24 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be televised live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.
“Solo Boxeo Tecate” holds final fight card in Denver
Cerveza Tecate presents the final edition of “Solo Boxeo Tecate” as the long-running series closes doors this Friday, December 19 with a last bout in Denver, Colo. Through more than 400 exhilarating encounters, the action-packed boxing program has given numerous Hispanic and non-Hispanic fighters national exposure as they launched their careers inside the ring.
The double card of the last episode of “Solo Boxeo Tecate” will showcase, in the main event, 10 rounds of Super Lightweights action between Mike Alvarado (23-0, 16 KO’s) and Miguel Angel Huerta (27-9-1, 18 KO’s). Alvarado, who defeated Manuel Garnica by TKO-4 in October, had a great 2008 marked by victories over Michel Rosales and Cesar Bazan. For Huerta, who dropped from No. 4 to No. 10 after facing former World Champion Javier “Chatito” Jauregui, is looking for a victory over undefeated Alvarado. Partaking in the co-main event, Brandon Rios (18-0-1, 12 KO’s) will face Carlos Guevara (12-6-1, 9 KO’s) in 10 Super Featherweight rounds.
Infusing its distinctive carácter to the “Solo Boxeo Tecate” series since 2007, Tecate has successfully supported the greatness of the sport by offering fighters and champions such as: Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto, Juan Manuel Marquez, Kelly Pavlik, Steven Luevano, Victor Ortiz, Abner Mares, Vicente Escobedo, Jesus Soto-Karass and Mike Alvarado, the opportunity to begin their path towards success in the ring. Jesus Chavez and Martin Castillo, both winners of the World Title; as well as Former World Champions Fernando Vargas, Jorge Paez and Yory Boy Campas, also appeared on the show.
“Through our title sponsorship of ‘Solo Boxeo Tecate,’ we had the privilege of boosting bold and exciting matches to consumers at a local level” said Carlos Boughton, brand director for Tecate brand equity “We’re thankful for this opportunity and remain committed in our support of the sport and its aficionados.”