By Eric Thomas: Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KO’s) faces Denmark’s Brian Nielsen (64-2, 43 KO’s) in a scheduled 12 round bout this Saturday night in what amounts to be an old timer’s fight at the Koncenthuset, in Copenhagen, Denmark. How this fight is even taking place is the question.
Nielsen, 46, hasn’t fought in over nine years since beating Uriah Grant by an eight round decision in 2002. Holyfield is coming off of a questionable 3rd round no contest in his last fight against journeyman Sherman Williams in January. Holyfield was badly rocked by Williams in the 3rd round and was taking right after right hand and staggering. The fight was stopped in between rounds due to a small cut over Holyfield’s left eye as a result of a head clash.
Holyfield claimed he couldn’t see out of the eye but the cut didn’t look like a bad one and the time of this was suspicious, as Holyfield had been badly hurt by Williams and looked to be on the verge of being knocked out. The fight was then stopped and ruled a no contest. Williams wanted a rematch to prove that he can hurt Holyfield again and take him out. However, Holyfield has shown no interest in fighting Williams and instead has moved on to the ring rusty and old Nielsen.
Holyfield is hoping that a win over Nielsen will lead to a title shot against one of the heavyweight champions. In an interview at Sky Sports, Holyfield said “If I win, I am moving to the next level. I am hoping to get a championship bout with other guys with other belts.”
How Holyfield can think that beating an inactive fighter like Nielsen is enough for him to get a title shot is beyond me. Nielsen never faced anyone with a pulse during his 66 fight career until facing and getting beaten by an old Mike Tyson in 2001. Nielsen’s record was totally inflated but after all these years, it’s silly to see Holyfield facing him and think this should lead to him getting a title shot. Nielsen, of course, isn’t ranked in the top 15.
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