Does boxing really need Evander Holyfield vs. Nikolai Valuev?

My friend Dan Rafael at ESPN.com got the scoop that former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield has agreed to fight world heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev on Dec. 20 in Europe.

Holyfield will turn 46 before the fight and is attempting to become the oldest heavyweight champ in boxing history.

But why? Because he needs the money? Holyfield was once boxing's king of the hill, having beaten the likes of Mike Tyson (twice) and Riddick Bowe. A replay of an old Bowe bout was on an ESPN channel last night. It was a heroic, heartwarming moment, watching the swollen-faced warrior hug his children in the ring after being handed a majority decision.

Now, we'll watch a real freak show: The old and beaten-down Holyfield taking on boxing's carnival act, the 7-foot-tall, 320-pound Valuev. I spoke to Holyfield before he fought (and lost) a world title to Sultan Ibragimov last year. His speech was slightly slurred, but he'd insisted he'd passed every medical clearance test required to enter the ring.

I'm no doctor, but relying only on common sense, here's hoping this bout doesn't happen. There's a lot of life left post-46.

-- Lance Pugmire 

Photo: Evander Holyfield, left, and Nikolai Valuyev. Credit: Norbert Foersterling / Rex Curry / EPA

Comments

[DO VEGAS]

HOLLIFIELD NEEDS TO STOP. I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR MONEY. HOWEVER BOXING IS ALREADY A RISKY, LIFE THREATING SPORT. WHY RISK HIS FRAGLIE HEALTH FOR A SMALL PAYDAY COMPARED TO HIS PAST FIGHTS. MIGHT AS WILL FIGHT ROY JONES JR. BIGGER PAYDAY AND LESS RISK. THAT IS A FIGHT I'D WATCH.

[superjohnny]

Hollyfield is a warrior. He wants to be champion of the word again, and he has all he needs to reach his goal. People must let Hollyfield do what he desires.

[ELROY JOHNSON/BOXING PROMOTER]

HOLYFEILD IS A OLD SCHOOL FIGHTER!!!!!!,,,,,,HE LOVES THE GAME,,,I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM GIVE IT UP,,,,,,,,THE GREAT WILLIE PEP USE TO TELL ME "GET OUT BEFORE THEY CARRY YOU OUT",,,,,BUT I DO WISH HOLYFEILD THE BEST,,,HE COULD DO MORE OUTSIDE OF THE RING I COULD GET HIM MOVIE SPOTS,,,,HE IS A FORMER WORLD CHAMPION!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tony Caslla]

I have mixed feelings about this fight, if it happens that is. To start off Evander will be 46 by the time the fight rolls around in December yes, age is always a factor in any sport. On the opposite side of the spectrum Valuev is sort of ogre like, clumsy, not extremly skilled in boxing! The only thing he has is size and plenty of it. Evander could actually beat him if he keeps in close and on the outsideusing his faster punches and power to overwhelm Valuev. I'm not saying that I fully support Holyfields idea to fight such a beastly man, but I also dont opppose it, money might not be the reason if you think about not only would this be a win, but he wants to have his last fight go out with a bang, and a win, Instead of people saying "Oh remember Evander Holyfields last fight that he lost against Sultan Ibragimov!?" He might want people to remember his win at age 46 against the 7 foot monster.

[ML]

"He might want people to remember his win at age 46 against the 7 foot monster." And 5 time heavywieght champion to go along with it. I don't think things are as bad for Holyfield as ppl make out he still has his moments of glory. If it were Holyfield vs Klitchko or Peters I'd worry for him, but Holyfield should be able to topple the giant.

[Timothy J. Godfrey]

I'm hoping Evander will win the fight so he can finally hang'em up, but I can definitely hear him saying unification against the Ukranians. Whether we want to believe it or not, Evander Holyfield will mostl likely be seriously injured or even worst before he leaves the ring for good.

[Brent]

Any state medical committee that examines Holyfield and then allows him to get a license to fight is bordering on malpractice. Holyfield was once a great fighter, but many years and many wars in the ring have taken their toll. Those of us who have followed his career remember the guy who was DQ'd at the 1984 Olympics - a charming, talkative fighter with fast hands and no slurring of his words. Fast forward to now - Holyfield is incapable of speaking well, at times he seems to get confused and has trouble following a conversation, and his boxing skills have become badly eroded.

If Holyfield needs money, he can do a lot of things to get it without further damage to his brain. His famous name lends itself to endorsements, he can make paid guest appearances at big fights, etc. The one thing he should not do for money is get back in the ring. He is a icon of the sport, a true warrior, and he should not allow his need for money to cause him to lose that legendary status and become a symbol of the dangers of fighting for too long.

[Eddie Perruso]

As much as I love Holyfield, I personally wish he would retire; however, not because he can "no longer fight." It's because, and this pains me to say it, he is merely a shell of his former self. There is no other reason. There is soooo much talk of the "great dangers" of allowing him to continue fighting. Come on. Although he lost last year to [what was---I believe if you count the WBO] a seasoned heavyweight champion---he was never in ANY danger of getting hurt but only in great danger of looking like, painfully and again, a shell of his former self. And that's the great tragedy.

[Linda]

Age is nothing but a number. Remember what Rocky Balboa said to Adrian "I'm a fight. It's what i do". Evander will know when it's time to quit. I'm behind Evander all the way. Go Evander!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GmanSenior]

The heavyweight division is that bad that none of the title fights are in the states. Let Holyfield embarass himself against the freak show!!