Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Rteacher]

It's really improbable that the former great champion is still trying to become the undisputed heavyweight champ again.

It seems like ages ago when he beat Riddick Bowe (in 1992) and it's been a long time since I paid to watch him lose part of his ear but win his two battles with Mike Tyson.

I even remember when he became light-heavweght then cruiserweigt champ. It's pretty obvious that he' used steroids and growth hormones (HGH) to build himself into a relatively small heavyweight.

His durability is even more remarkable given his "warrior" style, the number of grueling brawls that he's been in, and his congenital heart problems.

He's just 6 days shy of turning 45 years old, and not long ago he was stripped of his boxing licensce by the New York State Athletic Commission because of seriously "diminished skills" he showed in three consecutive losses...

Somehow he's the only American currently set to challenge any of the Russian (or former Soviet bloc) fighters who hold different versions of the heavyweight title. He says he plans to unify all the belts before retiring as the oldest champ ever. (George Forman was 45 when he won his last title...)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evander_Holyfield

Now he's going to the "backyard" of a tough, undefeated Russian WBO titlehoder, Sultan Ibragimov (20 - 0 - 1) in the biggest title fight that's ever taken place in Russia. (Shades of Rocky IV..)

Most boxing analysts think he's chasing an impossible dream, and some suspect that he's damaged too many brain cells, It's been ten years since he's knocked someone out in a title fight.

However, I think that he looked pretty good his last couple fights (against decent opposition) so with his determination, warrior spirit, and edge in experience I give him a good chance to win a decision (if he's not robbed by the Russian judges...)
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Fighting/Boxing/2007/08/30/4458848-ap.html
http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Harrison/Harrison120804.htm

I'm not exactly sure what time the fight will be broadcast, but I think it's around midnite tonight (Saturday) I'm also not sure if it will be shown live in Korea (because HBO isn't carrying it..)

I'm kind of interested in the bout , but probably not enough to get the paid webcast if it's not on TV (at www.jalipo.com)

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[skconqueror]

He is a joke, and anyone giving him a chance to unify the titles is ridiculous.

The old man is more like apolo creed in the rocky movies .. not rocky ..

[Rteacher]

I think he has a decent shot against this guy, though, 'cause he's not much bigger than him, and Holyfield has fared well against southpaws.

But Ibragimov does have a big age advantage (13 years younger) and is considered a skilled power-puncher with a great left jab.

That's why very few boxing analysts give Holyfield anymore than a puncher's chance - and he hasn't been that big a puncher the last ten years.

Reportedly, the smart money looks for a quick knockout win for the Russian, but I still think that Holyfield's a live underdog here - unless he gets killed...

[bejarano-korea]

Ibrhaimgov is compentent - not going to rip up trees or anything but I wish Holyfield would now retire, the thing is evander is so delusional, even if he got his head panned in a round. He would still carry on, I do believe that.

I actually think Holyfield will win this one, he is too battle hardened and too durable for Ibrhaimagov to beat him inside the distance, to beat Holyfield nowadays a fighter has to be slick and the Russian is not slick enough.

Holyfield to stop the Russian in the later rounds, I said that Holyfield was shot and needed to retire before his first fight with Tyson.

[Rteacher]

Well, he fell short, losing a unanimous 12-round decision to the Russian, but it reportedly was a good fight.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3062051

Although I guess he only clearly won three rounds, Holyfield shows no signs of quitting at this point, noting that he's "improving"...

[mack4289]

It sucks Tyson-Holyfield never fought in their primes. Would've been a great fight.

[Rteacher]

Well, don't be surprised if they fight again someday. After Tyson gets out of prison again in a couple years, he'll be desparately broke. And Holyfield has to keep fighting just to pay child support for all the kids he's fathered (from like seven different women ...)

Both fights they did have were exciting battles (though the second one will only be remembered for the grotesque biting-off-ear incident)

Before Tyson got his energy drained by Robin Givens (and her mother) he was very focused on trying to knockout everyone in (and sometimes out of ) the ring. (He basically liked to beat up men and rape women...)

However, Holyfield has always been able to wade through big punches and land his own power shots. Lennox Lewis - a much bigger guy - couldn't knock him down in any of their fights, so I don't think that Tyson could have knocked him out the way he demolished most foes.

Pyschologically, I think that Holyfield has the advantage of knowing that Tyson - being a bully - becomes vulnerable when he can't intimidate a guy he can't KO with one punch.

Remember that Buster Douglas, who shocked the world by more-or-less destroying an unprepared Tyson, was himself destroyed by Holyfield (without getting into the steroids/HGH issue...)