Evander Holyfield beat Buster Douglas in 1990 to become the majority heavyweight champion after moving up from cruiserweight. He then went on to beat George Foreman, Burt Cooper, and Larry Holmes before losing to Riddick Bowe. In their rematch Holyfield bested Bowe but lost a title again in 1994 to Michael Moorer. In 1996 Holyfield knocked out Mike Tyson to recapture a belt then infamously won a disqualification victory the next year to retain. He redeemed himself against Moorer later that year. In 1999 Holyfield earned a split with Lennox Lewis and lost his titles, then had three bouts with John Ruiz resulting in two wins and one loss. By 2005, after mixed results against the likes of Rahman, Byrd, Toney and Donald, Holyfield had retired.</p> But wait--in 2006 Holyfield returned to the ring. He hasn't been fighting top-flight heavyweights (are there any left?) but Holyfield is undefeated in his four fights since un-retiring and is now looking to get a title again. Standing in his way is somewhat impressive pugilist Sultan Ibragimov. The 32-year old heavyweight from Russia is a soutpaw with an undefeated record. Ibragimov defeated Shannon Briggs this year to achieve the WBO Heavyweight Title. His resume doesn't read anything like his veteran opponent's but he will have the Moscow crowd behind him... think Rocky IV except Apollo Creed fights Drago in Russia instead of Rocky, though I doubt a lesson in geopolitics will reverberate from Holyfield's marblemouthed jaw following the fight.</p> This is an interesting fight because of Holyfield's goal to recapture the "unified" heavweight title; this being the first benchmark.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBlood)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Holyfield will take that championship and bring it back to the USA!</p> </div></p> The Real Deal loses ten of twelve rounds and returns to the USA empty handed. But he hasn't given up on his new dream.</p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><span class="template"><span class="body">"My goal is still to be undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. I just have to get back in line," he said, picking up the same refrain that has followed his every loss.</div></span></span></p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (speeds)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBlood)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Holyfield will take that championship and bring it back to the USA!</p> </div></p> The Real Deal loses ten of twelve rounds and returns to the USA empty handed. But he hasn't given up on his new dream.</p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><span class="template"><span class="body">"My goal is still to be undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. I just have to get back in line," he said, picking up the same refrain that has followed his every loss.</div></span></span></div></p> <span class="template"><span class="body">Translation:</span></span></p> <span class="template"><span class="body">"As long as fools want to pay me, I'll keep taking their money."</span></span></p> <span class="template"><span class="body">He's irrelevant.</span></span></p> </p> </p>
He needs to keep fighting handpicked insurance salesmen.</p> See: Jeremy Bates, last heard from getting knocked out by Andrew Golota in Poland.</p> </p> ghoti, have you made all the arrangements for our trip to Denmark in the coming weeks?</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kid Chocolate)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> He needs to keep fighting handpicked insurance salesmen.</p> See: Jeremy Bates, last heard from getting knocked out by Andrew Golota in Poland.</p> </p> ghoti, have you made all the arrangements for our trip to Denmark in the coming weeks?</p> </div></p> We have to go to Wales!!</p> Any of you DYC guys rich enough to fly us out there?</p> At least one of us promises to root for Calzaghe.</p> </p>