By Mark Vester

The exhibition bout between former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and opponent Sammy Retta, has been postponed until September. The bout takes place in Ethiopia to help raise funds for the battle against AIDS. A venue in Addis Ababa was going to host the event.

The original date was scheduled for July 26. A request came in from government to change the date. The figures were never fully disclosed but some reports had Holyfield making over seven-figures for the exhibition bout.

 "The government wanted the match to correspond with Ethiopia's new year celebrations on September 11, so we both agreed," Retta said in a phone interview with AFP.

 

Retta is an Ethiopian super middleweight but weighs 230 at the moment. According to Retta, Holyfield is using the exhibition as a tuneup for a fight in December.

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingvester@gmail.com