Boxing legend Evander Holyfield says his children urged him not to step into the ring against Vitor Belfort after a concerning clip of the veteran was released ahead of the bout.
Holyfield, who’ll turn 59 next month, will fight former MMA star Belfort,44, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Florida on Sunday (AEST) after Oscar De La Hoya was forced to withdraw after testing positive to COVID-19.
However, a clip of the former world champion training ahead of the bout has reverberated around the combat sports world, with several leading voices questioning how the fight great was allowed to enter the ring.
All fighters over the age of 40 who apply for a license in Florida are subject to an eye exam, blood work, an MRI and EKG, from the Florida Athletic Commission.
Holyfield signed a deal with Triller to meet Kevin McBride in an exhibition bout on June 5 on the undercard of Teofimo Lopez-George Kambosos, but it never materialised leading to a contractual dispute between the company and ‘The Real Deal’. When De La Hoya pulled out, Triller enlisted the services of Holyfield.
The four-time heavyweight champion is understood to be making multiple millions for the fight, sources told ESPN. It’s said he also wants a third fight with Mike Tyson. Holyfield made weight for the clash and was asked whether his family held any concerns for his safety.
“This is the first time my kids ever told me… ‘Dad, you don’t need to be getting hit,'” Holyfield said.
“At least I’m fighting somebody that I know I can protect myself [against]. The whole thing’s about protection. You don’t become a good fighter until you know how not to get hit…. I know all the things that’s necessary to be safe.
“It’s kind of hard to turn down a big sum of something when you know you can do it. Plus you gotta understand, they saying fight somebody who boxing ain’t his thing.”
Belfort has had only one pro boxing match, all the way back in 2006, a first-round KO victory in his native Brazil.
Belfort hasn’t fought since May 2018, a second-round KO loss to Lyoto Machida at UFC 224. That was Belfort’s fourth loss in six Octagon appearances. He announced his retirement after the bout.
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