The Age Old Tale of Two Heavyweights
By James Blears
Several years ago, Evander Holyfield was one of the guests at a special World Boxing Council gala dinner in Mexico City, and he was sitting alongside the similarly impressive Emanuel Steward.
Evander’s eyes lit up, when another guest asked him if he could emulate the great Sugar Ray Robinson and win the title five times. Albeit that Ray was best known for his middleweight achievements and Evander for his heavyweight excellence.
Evander and Manny starting discussing how it could possibly achieved with an older fighter like him. Manny shrewdly suggested that training would have to be carefully graduated and tempered to suit an older boxer, with less frequency, yet more concentrated intensity. He also ventured that if he was training Evander, he’d put him in with younger guys, who could run him around a bit, and force him to stay with them round after round.
Quite a lot has happened to Evander since then, both good and bad. But the indomitable will that made him a champion, is still driving him on and on, to better George Foreman’s record, and become the oldest heavyweight champion of them all. Given the dolldrum ditchwater state of the division it’s not as far fetched as it might seem!
While Oliver McCall was still world champion, he came to Toluca to train. One bizarre rainy afternoon "Atomic Bull" was playing with a radio controlled car. It constantly frustrated him, for try as he might he couldn’t keep it going in a straight line. It kept disobeying his instructions via the control box, which he was jabbing with a massive finger. It veered off, crashing and turning over, and it eventually konked out altogether.
Not long after that, Oliver’s career derailed big time, and he’s been determinedly been working and trying to put it back on track ever since.
On October 19th, Evander will be forty-five years old, while Oliver celebrated his forty-second birthday on April 21st.
After his impressive points win over Sinan Sam for the World Boxing Council’s International Heavyweight title in Turkey, Oliver is now ranked at number three and it’s very likely he’ll get one more last gasp title shot.
Evander who convincingly defeated fellow old timer Lou Savarese last month, and is looking sharp as well as chiseled, is also seeking a title opportunity, but he’s currently ranked a more distant number ten by the WBC.
WBC President Jose Sulaiman who was in Turkey to see Oliver’s successful effort was very impressed. He enthused: "He’s lost weight, he’s won over his social problems and he came out to box, as I’ve not seen him in a long, long time."
However Don Jose’s assessment of Evander is not anywhere near so sunny. He pondered: "I hope Evander would retire from boxing, because he has nothing to prove. He was the greatest Cruiserweight Champion of all time. He was one of the very best Heavyweights of the last quarter of a century. He is one of most courageous respected heroes of the sport of boxing. So I hope he would think deeply, and respond to the people who love him, and not continue risking his health and his life.
"I just pray to God that he listens to his good counselors."
A great motivating factor for Evander, is the example set by George Foreman. However, it has to be acknowledged that George’s immense and almost unique destructive capability, in quickly disposing of most opponents- and not having to undergo grueling fights, gave him a ring longevity, or more advanced sell by date, than Evander could really claim.
Don Jose referred to Foreman’s awesome ring presence suggesting: "He must have a special biological power that others don’t have."
While Oliver’s principal motivating factor, would be generous pay days, and why not! Evander, who’s already made his fortune and managed to hold on to it, is following his quest, because he’s specifically aiming to make history.
The next twelve months...or so...but not much more, will see if either can overcome the aches and pains of middle age, show the youngsters a thing or two, and climb back to the rarefied heights that few would give them much chance of reaching.