He is four years older than his former rival, but unlike Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield didn’t make a comeback in the boxing ring. This is also due to his mother’s advice.
To this day he is considered one of the best in his profession: Evander Holyfield. In the interview, the 62-year-old boxer talks about Mike Tyson’s failed comeback, cannabis rubber ears and the nickname “Real Deal”.
Ask: Mister Holyfield, your former rival Mike Tyson boxed at 58 last week against YouTuber Jake Paul. He lost on points. What did you think of the fight?
Evander Holyfield (62): He was in trouble right from the start. His balance was off because his knee and back were probably not right. He didn’t use his legs to swing his punches like he usually did. He stood very straight with his knees straight and did not walk forward. I’ve never seen him like that before.
Ask: Your advice for him?
Holyfield: Whether he boxes again is his decision. But at a certain age you have to realize what you’re doing to yourself. I would never compete if I didn’t think I could win or if I wasn’t healthy.
Ask: At 62 you are very fit. What is your secret?
Holyfield: The most important thing is that if you never get out of shape, you’ll never have to work to get back in shape. My mother always spoke to my conscience. What helps me: I don’t really have any bad habits.
Ask: On your Instagram account, you like to emphasize that you are “ready to dance.” Does that mean you’d like to appear on TV shows, or are you open to one last dance in the ring?
Holyfield: I stay in shape no matter what comes my way. Then I just feel better. I do different exercises and don’t really box much anymore. But my condition is always right.
Ask: Tyson released cannabis rubber ears for eating a few years ago – in reference to his ear bite against you. Did he ask you for permission?
Holyfield: I was there during the discussions when they were being developed. But from a business perspective it was a bad decision because I didn’t have the right management at the time. As a result, things didn’t go as well as they could have. But that wasn’t Mike’s fault.
Ask: Everyone remembers the ear bite. What do you consider to be the strangest moment of your career?
Holyfield: In any case, it was the powered parachutist who landed in the ring during my fight in Las Vegas against Riddick Bowe in 1993. At this point I saw myself on the seventh lap and then suddenly this guy comes along. This allowed Bowe to get some rest because the fight was stopped for around 20 minutes. Suddenly I met a strong opponent again. Luckily I still narrowly won in the end.
Ask: In 2008, at the age of 46, you almost became heavyweight world champion for the fifth time against the Russian Nikolai Valuev, but the judges saw it differently. The biggest scam of your career?
Holyfield: As disappointed as I was, I have to be honest: everyone evaluates fights differently. So I don’t want to complain about what could have been. I believe in never giving up. When I look at my career, I can proudly say: I am the only four-time heavyweight world champion!
Ask: On December 21st there will be the rematch of the year between heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. Who are you guessing?
Holyfield: I see Usyk in front again. He reminds me of myself. He’s smaller than the other heavyweights, but always in top shape. This means he can always achieve his best performance. He is also technically strong at boxing. When I was in Russia for the first time, he introduced himself to me. He announced to me back then: “I will do the same thing you have achieved. I’m going to be cruiserweight and then heavyweight world champion!” I just looked him in the eyes and said, “Good luck with that! What’s your name anyway?” And he kept his word!
Ask: Usyk calls you his role model. Which athlete inspired you?
Holyfield: Of course Muhammad Ali! He was so great at talking. My mom took me aside and forbade me to brag like Ali. She said, “Shut up!” Above all, my mother taught me respect. She learned from her own mistakes and wanted me to be a better person than her.
Ask: 40 years ago you won your first professional fight at Madison Square Garden. What’s the first thing that comes to your mind?
Holyfield: A few months earlier I had boxed at the Olympics. Four other Americans had won gold, and I had won bronze. We all boxed in this event and I had the toughest opponent, but I won.
Ask: Who came up with your nickname “Real Deal” – the real deal?
Holyfield: I came up with that myself. I wanted something that rhymed. This is how I introduced myself to everyone at the 1984 Olympic Games. When I was cheated in the semifinals, the others called me “Raw Deal” (translated: badly treated; d. Red.) before. But I didn’t think it sounded good and didn’t want everyone to constantly remember this Olympic scam.
Ask: They were world champions five times in two weight classes. What was the best fight of your career?
Holyfield: In 1986 I boxed in Atlanta against the very experienced Dwight Muhammad Qawi. We boxed for 15 rounds! Before I had only fought a maximum of eight rounds. This jump was very difficult. I was very proud to get through that.
Ask: The former Wladimir Klitschko conqueror Anthony Joshua is facing elimination after another defeat against Daniel Dubois. What else do you think he can do?
Holyfield: It all depends on him now. How big is his own drive? I wouldn’t tell anyone they can’t do something.
The article was written for the Sports Competence Center (WELT, SPORT PICTURE, BILD) written and first published in SPORT BILD.
