By Sammy Rozenberg

 

The near sold-out crowd at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, witnessed Evander Holyfield (39-8-2, 26KOs) pick up his first win in over four years. Finally breaking a three fight losing streak, Holyfield stops journeyman Jeremy Bates (21-12-1, 18KOs) in two rounds.

 

Bates, an insurance salesman, was seriously outclassed when he stepped in the ring with Holyfield. In one of the rare occasions in Holyfield's career, he faced a smaller fighter. Holyfield had the advantage in every possible category. The biggest problem for Bates, among many, was his lack of reach. Bates only has a 72-inch arm length, seven inches shorter than Holyfield and considerably shorter than most heavyweights.

 

The corner of Bates urged him to jab the former champion, but Bates was unable to reach Holyfield because of the difference in reach.

 

The first round was more of a feeling out session. The pace began to pick towards the end of the round, as Holyfield caught Bates with a right hand to buckle his knees. The bell saved Bates as Holyfield trapped him at close range and began to unload punches.

 

The second round was more of the same. Every time Holyfield would catch Bates with any significant punch, he was visibly shaken. After he trapped a hurt Bates against the ropes for the second time in the bout, he was not going to let him off the hook. Holyfield once again began to unload everything, but the kitchen sink - which prompted the referee Rafael Ramos to jump in and stop the fight.

 

After the fight was over, Holyfield made his intentions clear that in his next fight he wanted a serious step up in class.

 

"I felt good in the ring. No injuries. I want to fight a top-ten fighter next," said Holyfield.

 

Holyfield is the only fighter to my knowledge to have been a world champion in three consecutive decades. He ruled the cruiserweight division in the 80's, grabbing every major title at the weight. Upon conquering the cruiserweights, he moved up to the heavyweight division to win the heavyweight title on four occasions between 1990 to 2000.

 

He lost the heavyweight title for the final time to John Ruiz on March 3, 2001. Since the Ruiz loss, Holyfield has been unable to get any major momentum going for his career. Prior to meeting Bates, Holyfield's record was 1-3-1 since 2002.

 

After losing a one-sided decision to fringe contender Larry Donald in November 2004, the New York State Athletic Commission suspended Holyfield from active fighting and ordered him to go through an assortment of medical tests. Holyfield participated in the medical tests, passed the tests, but as a result of the suspension he was unable to fight for 2 years.

 

In the bout with Bates, Holyfield still appeared slow at times. It became apparent in the two short rounds, that when Bates pressed forward with punches, Holyfield would stop dead in his tracks and not throw back. The only punch Bates was able to land, a crisp right hand on the chin, backed Holyfield up, but he was unable to follow-up as Holyfield became defensive.

 

For a fighter of Holyfield's caliber, Bates is a Christmas present. Bates, losing his last two fights in a row, eleven losses over all, had little to no shot of upsetting the former champion. Holyfield looked much better than in his last couple of fights, but it may have been a mirage when you consider the opponent he faced. Bates was very slow, and stood right in front of Holyfield screaming to get hit.

 

The win over Bates will certainly raise the confidence level of Holyfield by considerable margins. What lies for Holyfield in the future is unknown. Holyfield is turning 44-years-old, and time is the enemy. He should move along at a slow pace to build himself back up, but at the same time he is not getting any younger.

 

Holyfield's goal is to land a title shot, and he will probably get it. Some of the current lesser known heavyweight champions are more than likely eyeing Holyfield for a potential bout if he continues to win, regardless of what kind of fighters he beats. Holyfield brings money, he brings recognition and his fights receive a lot of press from the media.

 

Evander may just get what he wants, but at what cost?