Holyfield this Friday

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 14 Aug 2006, 18:46

I feel bad about mentioning it, but Evander Holyfield makes another return to ring against a fella named Jeremy Bates. His record is terrible and perhaps the tennis player of the same name would be a more competent boxer - but wouldn't at all surprise me if Holyfield loses.

Incidently its being promoted by Real Deal promotions (Holyfield?) and is on Fox Sports in the states. Just wandering, if there is any record as to the most number of consecutive fights showcased on USTV. Holyfield has got to be close to the top.

BigEars · Post by **BigEars** » 14 Aug 2006, 21:06

Holyfield will win in an awful display , he may even lose a few rounds . He claimed(or at least his manager did) that if he didn't look like his old self and threw combinations that Holyfield would retire , but frankly I don't believe that . They say the poor performances from Holyfield recently wasn't from being shot but a shoulder injury which has now been correct , yet again I don't believe it(even if his shoulder has hampered him in his last few fights , it's not the main reason) .

Hopefully he loses a wide decision without getting hit clean or often , so that he can retire with what health he has left .

states · Post by **states** » 14 Aug 2006, 21:30

Is there anything other than a terrible outcome to this fight?

It's horrible to see someone who was once so good scuffling around like this. If Evander was only looking for one last win, it wouldn't be so bad. But I really don't want him to win a few fights, because he'll only keep up the impression that he's actually 15 years younger than he is.

And even worse than that, I can't help but think that every time he loses, it's actually making him more determined to prove people wrong. Trouble is, that spirit that made him so good in the ring at his best, is likely to leave him badly damaged. He sounds bad enough as it is.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 15 Aug 2006, 03:20

In fairness he sounded just as bad years ago. He was never the clearest of speakers!

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 15 Aug 2006, 04:11

It's a horrible catch 22.

If he beats this guy, then that will probably sew the seeds in his mind that he can continue and get near the top again.

If loses, his reputation will be tarnished further, which is an appaling shame. Not to mention any possible injuries, mental or otherwise, that could be sustained in the process.

And whilst Bates' record is fairly self-explanetary, with 18ko's from 21 wins (albeit against very poor opposition) he can punch a bit, and I rekon he'll last the distance too. So even if Holy wins, I'd reckon he'll have half an hour of this guy, which I really wouldn't want to watch.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 15 Aug 2006, 04:15

Can't believe I am saying this but its been common knowledge about Holyfield's torn rotator cuff injury so perhaps just perhaps he might look a little better than he has done in his last few fights. Having said that I don't expect him to be anything like the old Holyfield before anyone starts!

He should beat this guy no problem.

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 15 Aug 2006, 04:42

OK, I'll kick this one off. Let's see if it gets as many groans as the 'Mark Rench' thread. (Hope there hasn't been one I've originally missed).

Holyfield better watch out for Jeremy Bates.

He's ace.

For the bewildered among you: http://www.athletics-heroes.net/tennis- ... p?HeroID=9

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 15 Aug 2006, 04:49

This fight should serve up a treat

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 15 Aug 2006, 04:56

Bates might catch him with a volley.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 15 Aug 2006, 04:57

This fight is a toss up.

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 15 Aug 2006, 05:05

Listen, Holyfield isn't going to be competative now he's over 40, love.

I used to be one of his biggest fans - I'd start a racket whenever he won a big fight. But now I think it would be a dis-service to support his comeback.

I predict Holyfield will win, but less than impressively. (although no doubt the papers will all put some top spin on the fight to make Holy sound good)

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 15 Aug 2006, 05:19

Holyfield has had a shoulder injury for a long time apparently, depending on who you believe of course. The third fight with Bowe, (when after a brilliant start Holyfield froze and just started walking Bowe round the ring, then knocked him down and nearly out, but was unable to throw anything to finish him off), was first attributed to a hole in the heart, (which miraculously healed) then a shoulder injury.

If he has got this injury for such a long period, it's very likely it will hamper him when he puts the shoulder under stress during the fight.

In any case at 42 (he's over 40 now), he just cannot pull the trigger any more, it's over. Unlike Foreman, whose huge physical strength, size, and punch power, coupled with a 10 year rest, and the fact he never had to rely on counterpunching skills due to his assets, holy always used his speed and reflexes to find openings which he can no longer find against naturally bigger men.

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 15 Aug 2006, 05:32

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Holyfield has had a shoulder injury for a long time apparently, depending on who you believe of course. The third fight with Bowe, (when after a brilliant start Holyfield froze and just started walking Bowe round the ring, then knocked him down and nearly out, but was unable to throw anything to finish him off), was first attributed to a hole in the heart, (which miraculously healed) then a shoulder injury.

If he has got this injury for such a long period, it's very likely it will hamper him when he puts the shoulder under stress during the fight.

In any case at 42 (he's over 40 now), he just cannot pull the trigger any more, it's over. Unlike Foreman, whose huge physical strength, size, and punch power, coupled with a 10 year rest, and the fact he never had to rely on counterpunching skills due to his assets, holy always used his speed and reflexes to find openings which he can no longer find against naturally bigger men.

I don't get it, James. You're usually good at this stuff. 8)

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 15 Aug 2006, 05:36

Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:OK, I'll kick this one off. Let's see if it gets as many groans as the 'Mark Rench' thread. (Hope there hasn't been one I've originally missed).

Holyfield better watch out for Jeremy Bates.

He's ace.

For the bewildered among you: http://www.athletics-heroes.net/tennis- ... p?HeroID=9

You deserve a volley of abuse for starting this, serve you right in my opinion. No doubt though it's going to net a few responses.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 15 Aug 2006, 05:58

nickd wrote:This fight is a toss up.

With Master Bates in there that's a guarantee.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 15 Aug 2006, 06:34

Yeah but they claimed the shoulder injury had finally been corrected in the build up to the James Toney fight, remember?

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 15 Aug 2006, 06:46

overhand_right wrote:Yeah but they claimed the shoulder injury had finally been corrected in the build up to the James Toney fight, remember?

Yeah I think they did. Seems to be one excuse after another with Holyfield at this point. Let's hope he can at least get a win but not look good doing so and then retires.

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 15 Aug 2006, 06:47

Well, whether or not Holyfield performs or not in the ring this weekend, at least we can say with some confidence that his performance will be produced by a clean body.

Holyfield was always an outspoken opponent of drugs, and those cheats who felt the need to deuce up in order to improve there performance.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 15 Aug 2006, 06:49

If anyone is interested there is about a 20 minute interview with Evander Holyfield on Pedro Fernandez's Ringtalk radio show's second hour.

http://www.ringtalk.com

http://www.iradiodigital.com/ringtalk.htm - choose 13th August hour 2 and its about 25 minutes in I think.

The whole show is worth a listen each week and is 2 hours long, quite a few ads in there but still worth it I listen to it every week.

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 15 Aug 2006, 07:05

Can we Jomo? I'm sure i've heard stories linking Holyfield and drugs.

Being an outspoken opponent means nothing. Linford Christie was fairly outspoken on drugs and it didn't stop him failing a test in 99

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 15 Aug 2006, 07:09

Looking at Holyfield's physique as a cruiserweight and then as a heavyweight I find it hard to believe he didn't juice, although I think he did it in a way so as to gradually add weight. He was about 205 at heavyweight to start with and moved up to about 215-220 in his prime heavyweight years over a period of about 2 years.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 15 Aug 2006, 08:16

Groan. he's still going on about how Lewis did nothing in the first fight, how everyone (allegedly) thinks Evander won the rematch, how Lewis was scared to fight Ruiz...God, his delusions make me sick. What also makes me sick is maxboxing's propaganda - notice every time they get a chance, someone will try to hint that Evander deserved the win.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 15 Aug 2006, 08:31

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:OK, I'll kick this one off. Let's see if it gets as many groans as the 'Mark Rench' thread. (Hope there hasn't been one I've originally missed).

Holyfield better watch out for Jeremy Bates.

He's ace.

For the bewildered among you: http://www.athletics-heroes.net/tennis- ... p?HeroID=9
You deserve a volley of abuse for starting this, serve you right in my opinion. No doubt though it's going to net a few responses.

YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!!!!.... :x :x :x 8)

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 15 Aug 2006, 09:06

Holyfield will get some STICH if he loses this one.

If he loses every has to admit he WIM-BLE-DON(e)

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 15 Aug 2006, 09:25

My big fear is that Evander will take beating and end up like Jerry Quarry or Greg Page... at this point he doesnt even have to take a 'beating' as such, just being punched in the head again is going to cause him problems imo... he's had slurred speech since the mid-90s... the shame of it is we're talking about a guy whose been shot for about 10 years already and he still cant accept it....