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Holyfield destroys Savarese, but is
it the real deal?
Mike Cassell -
The Philadelphia Boxing report
(JULY 4) I once described Evander Holyfield (42 -8 – 2 – 27KO’s) as a
warrior who was wandering a battlefield, looking for a war, with no
ammunition. Last night in the Don Haskins Center in El Paso Texas, he
looked like his old self, dropping Lou Savarese (46 – 7 – 38KO’s) to the
canvas three times on his way to a unanimous decision victory. This was
more fuel, for the Holyfield hopeful, who still believe this guy has
anything left. Before we start setting a match with Klitschko or Maskaev,
let’s try to keep our heads a bit. Savarese’s last three opponents had a
combined 45 losses. He once was in the national spotlight, but he is
hardly a contender with any real ability. He is a name Holfyfield needed
to plead his case for legitimacy in the Heavyweight division, but
Holyfield’s losses to Chris Byrd, Larry Donald, and James Toney, are
still firmly in the mind of even the biggest Holyfield supporters.
Evander Holyfield is a legend. He did some amazing things in the ring,
but are we supposed to believe that a fighter who gets knocked out by
James Toney can stand with any of the current champions now? Holyfield
has won his last four fights, but none of the competition are contending
for anything, other then another fight with Riddick Bowe, or some other
fighter looking for a comeback. If Holyfield wants a real shot at a
title, he should take it now. He is 44 years old. His ring deficiencies
are becoming more noticeable. His speed and stamina are set by his
opponent. A younger more aggressive fighter, would eat him alive. He
needs to look for a champion that he can set the pace against. He needs
to look for an older Champion. The only champion I see is Oleg Maskaev.
Oleg is in his late 30’s, and would let Holyfield set the pace. I do not
think Holyfield would beat him, but the styles match up pretty good.
Holyfield has been living in denial for the past 5 years. He has not
given up, but someone in his life should have the towel firmly in hand
behind Holyfield. He did so much for the sport of boxing, and although
the Heavyweight Division is taking a beating right now, I don’t believe
he could stand with anyone in the upper echelon. The division may be
bad, but it is still the Heavyweight Division. I, for one, can not stand
to see him take another beating like he took with James Toney. What
bothered me so much about that beating in specific was, in his prime,
Holyfield could have beat Toney with one arm. I had to literally change
stations. I know it is not my right to tell a man how he should make a
living, or when he should stop doing what he does. Maybe we should have
made him feel more like a champion when he held the belts. He never
seemed to get the credit he truly deserved. He beat some of the best
fighters in the world, but at the time, we all seemed to be more
impressed with Mike Tyson’s prison menu. Maybe if he does do something
at this stage in his career, we will give him the adulation he deserves,
then he can end his career like a true warrior, wearing his medals
proudly around his waist, thrilling us with war stories, about how he
was once too small, and too old to be a champion. Now that’s an ending!
Unfortunately, this isn’t Rocky, and the punches he will be taking will
not have sound effects attached to them. They will be real punches, from
younger stronger men, who want the title as bad as Holyfield himself.
That’s reality.
Mike Cassell (Original date: July 1, 2007) |
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