Is Holyfield already destined to be (another)tragic figure in boxing?

The man's already punchy, and he's gonna take some more before the year is out. Even if his face never makes contact with another punch, pre-mature senility and other symptoms seem likely at this point. It could get really ugly folks. Yet he shows no signs of quitting; his false belief that Jesus will shield him from harm, coupled with his incredible heart, spur him on. For more beatings. Whats more, his almost inexplicable shortage of cash ensures that he'll keep searching for pay days. 10 years from now, will we all be watching 60 Minutes dissect an incoherent, trembling and broke old pug and his various disabilities? If so, it will be a tremendous blow to boxing. To have one of the most iconic and widely known pugilists fall into such a state would give ammunition to every critic of the sport. And they would be in the right, to a certain degree. So what do you guys think? Am I being too pessimistic, could he have a decent retirement if he quits after Valuev? What if he doesn't? Discuss. The ****ing boxing commission should revoke his licence. Ban him from fighting any longer. If they don't , other boxers should stand up and refuse to fight him.Surely they would have some common decency not to inflict pain on an ageing weak veteran of the sport. It was apparent to me in the Sultan Ibragimov fight he was OLD. He was twitching and looked very brittle and frail in that fight, it's inconceivable he is still fighting 12 months on from that fight.

He already is. I can't stand seein great fighters losin to guys they would bitchslapped in their primes. Holy needs to let it go.

The man's already punchy, and he's gonna take some more before the year is out. Even if his face never makes contact with another punch, pre-mature senility and other symptoms seem likely at this point. It could get really ugly folks. Yet he shows no signs of quitting; his false belief that Jesus will shield him from harm, coupled with his incredible heart, spur him on. For more beatings. Whats more, his almost inexplicable shortage of cash ensures that he'll keep searching for pay days. 10 years from now, will we all be watching 60 Minutes dissect an incoherent, trembling and broke old pug and his various disabilities? If so, it will be a tremendous blow to boxing. To have one of the most iconic and widely known pugilists fall into such a state would give ammunition to every critic of the sport. And they would be in the right, to a certain degree. So what do you guys think? Am I being too pessimistic, could he have a decent retirement if he quits after Valuev? What if he doesn't? Discuss. For at least 5 or 6 years I've been hoping to see the old Holyfield, even one short burst would do. But...nothing. Sometimes I try to amp up and convince myself that he's just setting everybody up for a truly shocking comeback. But, I'm now absolutely convinced that Evander is done. DONE. He needs to get out before it's too late.

his fuc*kin family needs to stop his ass from boxing. he is punch drunk now. FU*K!

"destined to be" more like already is. I see your point, and its a good one, but I mean a little something more when I throw around the word "tragic". The fact that he is still fighting is embarrassing, yes, but I don't think that fact by itself constitutes a tragedy. What will be tragic (or not) are the consequences of his ring career. I.e. what does it do to the man, and what it might it do to the sport?

He already is a tragic figure.

"destined to be" more like already is.

Hopefully the Real Deal Grill gets big and he doesn't have to fight anymore.

Yet he shows no signs of quitting; his false belief that Jesus will shield him from harm he never shuts the hell up about jesus does he? he is going to heavily question his faith if he somehow makes in the ring with a klitschko. poor holyfield just doesnt know any better, maybe hes just fighting for the money at this point. sad thing is he might actually beat valuev. either way, after valuev he will fight a klitschko which will lead to unification, which is nice.

Yo for ten to one odds I'd bet on Holyfield for this fight. He's not in bad shape for a man his age.