Korean Job Discussion Forums

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

It wasn't much of a fight, but 46 year-old Holyfield clearly won at least 9 rounds against towering Russian giant, Nikolai Valuev, who did practically nothing to win despite being a 10-1 favorite and having a huge size, reach and age advantage.

It really wasn't even a close fight, and veteran analyst Al Bernstein called it one of the worst decisions he's ever seen in a title fight - and that's saying a lot considering how much corruption there's been in boxing.

The judges were from Italy, Panama, and Sweden, but somehow the Russian Mafia must have gotten to them.

In most rounds, Valuev barely threw even a few punches, and none of them had any effect on Holyfield, who fought a smart fight with just enough lateral movement while being the more effective aggressor throughout the fight (except for the 12th round when he was exhausted).

Arguably, Evander should have retired long ago - even George Foreman says so - but he needs the money (mainly for child suport/alimony payments and to avoid foreclosure on his 100-room house in Atlanta).

In the post-fight interview, Holyfield didn't seem phased by the decision and hardly complained. Although he definitely did enough to win the fight, his skills are clearly too diminished to take on either of the Klitscho brothers, the other title-holders.

Since Don King was one of the promoters, I suspect that the outcome was predetermined to set up a rematch - and another payday for Evander (against a freakishly big "champ" who at 35 may also be too old to fight top-level opponents anymore.)

The crowd in Switzerland was solidly behind him, wanting to see him make history by becoming the oldest man to ever win a version of the heavyweight championship, and they roundly booed the decision.

I watched it live on the internet this morning - I don't think it was on Korean cable, but they might show it later in the day.

Here's the first press clipping so far - for anyone interested...
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3784052

cms989 · Joined: 18 Nov 2008

Correction: Al Bernstein called it the "worst officiating I have ever seen." Or maybe the other announcer did. But they both agreed, that was horrible. My only reasoning for this was they wanted to nullify this terrible fight and only give the belt to someone who earns it.

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

I think you're right about the exact quote, but technically "officiating" includes the judges. I agree it was a terrible fight in terms of action, but there are human interest angles involved as well, and the sold-out crowd wanted to see the old champ make history, defying Father Time and the oddsmakers.

The referee was from Puerto Rico, but I don't think that he was much of a factor.

To be fair, most of the rounds were close because very few punches were thrown - especially by the so-called champ - but Holyfield appeared to be the only one landing clean shots.

Bernstein also repeatedly said (more-or-less) that it was shocking how little passion was shown by Valuev to defend his title.

I think they should've given it to Evander - setting up a rematch down the road with Riddick Bowe.

To complete the circus act, if Bowe beat Holyfield to become a champion again, Lennox Lewis would probably be lured out of retirement ...

cms989 · Joined: 18 Nov 2008

No doubt I don't think anyone took issue with the ref, the announcer was clearly referring to the judges. If they were going to rig it they may as well done it in Holyfield's favor since it makes a better story and for a better fight in the future. I'm still in shock, but I guess I don't much care either way.

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

Yeah, I doubt that promoters would be behind a fix here - if it was fixed it was to shield bookmakers from having to pay out a lot of money bet on Holyfield at long odds (by sentimental fans).

Boxing needs to generate more interest. To get some crossover fans from MMA, I'd like to see Andre Arlavski get a shot at Valuev's title. Trained by Freddie Roach, he could probably figure out a way to stop the giant.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrei_Arlovski

manlyboy · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 11:54 pm Post subject:

A lot of money was put on Holyfield in the final few hours before the fight. His odds shortened from about 8/1, to 5/1.
Frankly, I've seen worse decisions. I thought Holyfield won, but not anywhere near as definitively as the commentators made out.
The most astute observation I've read so far is, "It was a 12 rounds to nil victory for MMA".

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

Another veteran analyst, Dan Rafael, agrees that it was a truly terrible decision - one of the worst he's ever seen (mainly because Valuev was so utterly awful...)

I'll have to see what Bert Sugar and Max Kellerman have to say about it.

Although I think Holyfield won easy, he would probably lose in the ring to "Rampage" Jackson - even under Marquis of Queensbury rules...
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3784246&categoryId=2491554&n8pe6c=1

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

the fight was fixed ! everyone got paid! Im sure evandar even bet against himself to get even more money!

Boxing is also about stories! SAGA, hope etc...

man they need to make a retirement league so some of the old greats who have lost their money can come back and earn a living..