Sport

Holyfield's retirement plans are on hold

BOXING:  EVANDER HOLYFIELD insists thoughts of retirement are at the back of his mind as he bids to become the oldest world …

Sat Dec 20 2008 - 00:00

BOXING: EVANDER HOLYFIELD insists thoughts of retirement are at the back of his mind as he bids to become the oldest world heavyweight champion in boxing history against Nikolai Valuev in Zurich tonight.

The 46-year-old Holyfield is convinced he can eclipse George Foreman, who won the same WBA title at the age of 45 when he knocked out Michael Moorer in the 10th round in Las Vegas in 1994. But former champion Holyfield is fighting on in defiance of lingering medical concerns and a recent record so poor it led to the temporary suspension of his licence in the United States.

Holyfield said: "I never set my mind to lose. Of course at some point I will retire but I don't think about that. I will see how the fight goes on Saturday then I will make up my mind."

In a division devoid of big names, it is hardly surprising promoters are turning to established names to help shift tickets, but Holyfield has been given more than enough second chances. In his last fight in October last year, he was granted a shot at the then WBO heavyweight champion Sultan Ibragimov in Moscow, but was on the wrong end of a lop-sided points decision.

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It was Holyfield's fifth fight of a comeback he began in 2006 after almost two years out through a suspension he was handed after losing all but one round against Larry Donald at Madison Square Garden. Holyfield admitted: "I did not do well against Ibragimov. He normally is a very aggressive fighter. However, on that day, he wasn't and I could not really chase him down.

"But now is another day, another fighter, another fight. It is about how old you feel and what you can do in the ring. I am very experienced and I know what I have to do against Valuev."

The 7ft Valuev ought to be relishing this showdown if only because for once he finds himself conceding the centre of attention to his opponent in the build-up to one of his fights.

Valuev has recovered well from his only career loss to Ruslan Chagaev in April 2007, winning three consecutive decisions against Jean Francois Bergeron, Sergei Liakhovich and former Holyfield foe John Ruiz.