By Jim Dower: Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is one of the many heavyweights that want a fight with World Boxing Association heavyweight champion David Haye (24-1, 22 KO’s).
In an article at the Sun, Haye says “My goal has always been to be the undisputed heavyweight champion. He [Haye] has a belt and I want them all. I wish could fight him right now.” That’s probably not a very realistic option for the 47-year-old Holyfield right now unfortunately.
Holyfield has a fight against 41-year-old Francois Botha (47-4-3, 28 KO’s) this Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center, in Las Vegas, Nevada. And beyond that, Holyfield has a lot of work ahead of him before he gets a shot at David Haye. In fact, it’s not likely to happen judging by how inactive Holyfield has been recently in the ring.
In the past six years, Holyfield has fought only six times. His currently inactivity spell stretches back to his disappointing 12 round majority decision loss against then WBA heavyweight champion Nikolay Valuev in December 2008. Before that, Holyfield hadn’t fought in a year since losing in another failed heavyweight challenge against then World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion Sultan Ibragimov in October 2007. Holyfield has done well for himself to get back to back fights for the heavyweight title, but he’s come up empty each time. He now has to win some fights, pick up some momentum and get in line for a fight with Haye.
It could be a long wait for a fight with Haye, however, because Haye is looking to fight both Wladimir Klitschko and his brother Vitali Klitschko, Haye also has a rematch that he has to take care of with former WBA heavyweight champion Nikolay Valuev that must be fought. And then after that, Haye has to fight the winner of the WBA title eliminator bout between Ruslan Chagaev and Kali Meehan. It’s not very realistic that Holyfield can get a shot against Haye anytime soon, if at all.
There’s always a chance because with Holyfield’s name value, he remains an option due to the lack of big named fighters in the heavyweight division. But given that Holyfield is nearing 50, hasn’t been all that active and isn’t winning his fights, he probably won’t be getting a shot against Haye. David already has another 40ish fighter going after him with Bernard Hopkins showing interest.
That’s a fight that Holyfield has already said he’s not interested in, but it seems like a much better option than fighting Holyfield at this point. Holyfield would likely be in way over his head should he get a fight with Haye and I could see Holyfield getting stopped early in the fight.
In his prime, I think Holyfield would handle Haye and take him out, but not at 47. Too much time has gone by, and Holyfield’s work rate just isn’t there for him to beat the likes of Haye. However, I do think Holyfield would do a better job than John Ruiz did in his fight with Haye last weekend. Haye destroyed Ruiz in a 9th round stoppage. I think Holyfield would be good enough to land some shots and make it interesting for a little while before getting taken out.
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