By Mark Vester

At a recent press conference to announce his official return to boxing, former heavweight champion Evander Holyfield (38-8) began making delusional statements about being able to beat any heavyweight in the division.

I guess his version of "anybody" does not include James Toney, Chris Byrd and Larry Donald, all of whom beat Holyfield in his last three fights. Holyfield, winless since 2002, also still believes that he will once again become the heavyweight champion of the world and unify the division.

"I actually believe I can whup anybody. Sure as I sit here today, I will be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world," Holyfield said.

I would hate to imagine what would happen if someone like Samuel Peter, Wladimir Klitschko or Nikolai Valuev lured Evander into a fight. There is not enough money in the fight for Klitschko to even consider Holyfield, but Peter and Valuev are likely to take such a fight if Holyfield racks up a few wins against a couple of stiffs.

Holyfield is set to return against journeyman Jeremy Bates (21-11) on August 18 in Dallas, Texas.