Evander Holyfield Insists He’s Still A Good Fighter, Boxing World Continues To Disagree

With just days to go before the “much anticipated” fight between Evander Holyfield and Nikolai Valuev, “The Real Deal” is doing his best to persuade doubters that he is not old and washed up, and that he is not walking into a slaughter on Saturday.
Other boxing experts, ones that aren’t named “Evander Holyfield,” seem to think differently.
At a press conference yesterday, Evander declared that age ain’t nuthin but a number, and told the world that his quest to become champion again at age 46 was not a circus act.

“I will display a performance that will surprise many people,” Holyfield said at Wednesday’s official press conference.

“I have been asked about my age so many times but that is fine.

“It is not about how old you are. It is about how old you feel and what you can do inside the ring.

“I am very experienced and I know what I have to do against Valuev. I am in great shape and I really look forward to Saturday night.”

For Evander to become undisputed champion again, as is his plan, he’ll have to square off against either Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko. Let’s just say that those guys aren’t exactly chomping at the bit to beat an old man to death.

“For the sport, this fight is a disaster,” Bernd Boente, who manages both Klitschko brothers, told German sports agency SID.

“The opponents of Valuev are growing weaker and weaker, the fight against Holyfield can only be a farce.

“If Valuev fights such people, one automatically knows what his attitude to boxing someone like Vladimir is.”

Gee, sounds like the Klitschkos don’t see ol’ Evander as a legitimate contender. There was a point when Valuev didn’t think so either, and then they wrote him a check. Could money smooth over the Klitschkos?
HOLYFIELD SHRUGS OFF AGE CONCERN [Sporting Life]
Valuev-Holyfield fight is a disaster, says Klitschko manager [FOX Sports]
Image [Slam]