Holyfield wants to go out on top

Sports

Holyfield wants to go out on top

Atlanta fighter Evander Holyfield wants to end his career on top by reuniting the division's top belts as its undisputed champion.

Former world heavyweight boxer Evander Holyfield faces Russia's Nikolai Valuev on Saturday in Zurich, Switzerland.

Valuev , at 7 feet and 310 pounds, is the tallest and heaviest boxer to hold a major belt.

How would you like this guy coming at you?

Holyfield acknowledged that he had little time left in a three-decade career that saw him rise from undefeated cruiserweight to conqueror of heavyweight champions including Riddick Bowe, George Foreman and Mike Tyson.

"This is not to prove anything to anyone," said Holyfield, 46, who denies that his latest comeback is linked in any way to recent financial troubles. "I box because I'm skillful and I'm good, and I love what I do. It's not because I'm angry, or because I'm mad. You jump in the game so that you can be the best." Holyfield hasn't fought since losing a one-sided decision to then-WBO champion Sultan Ibragimov more than a year ago in Moscow.

Holyfield, who had his license to box in New York state revoked three years ago, underwent five hours of medical tests in Germany last month to show he was fit to fight. He is expected to earn between $750,000 and $1 million for fighting Valuev, (above, training) with bigger purses waiting for unification bouts.

"They've been calling me old since I was 30 years old," Holyfield said. "When you come up poor, everyone is always doubting you. Someone always tells you that you can't do something. I never listened then, so why in the world would I get into that thinking now?"

Two daughters recently beseeched Holyfield to abandon the sport. He listened, then told them: "I control my life. I make my decisions. I wouldn't be wasting my time doing something I don't think I can do."

Holyfield wants to end his career on top by reuniting the division's top belts as its undisputed champion.

At stake is the WBA heavyweight belt. Holyfield would buckle it around a waist that has barely expanded since he won his first professional title, in 1990. This would be Holyfield's fifth heavyweight title, extending his record and distinguishing him as the eldest to reclaim a championship. He would surpass George Foreman, who did it against Michael Moorer at age 45 in 1994.

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Former world heavyweight boxer Evander Holyfield faces Russia's Nikolai Valuev on Saturday in Zurich, Switzerland.

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