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

[pfcwintergreen]

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.

[sylvestersweet]

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.

[kenso]

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.

[FloydsEra]

he's already a tragic figure in boxing

duh

[johnkraus]

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

[Dan...]

"destined to be" more like already is.

[Silencers]

He already is a tragic figure.

[pfcwintergreen]

"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?

[Jone2ts]

Some people are ok with dying or destroying themselves doing what they love, Chico was killed on a motorcycle, not that it's the same but still Evander wants to fight and it is sad and tragic that he can still get work with how crazy he is with that jesus **** and all tha damage he has taken but he has to know that the business is brutal and he either doesnt care or is completely motivated to sustain serious damage or possibly die in there. I guess if there is no legal way of stopping him he should be able to do whatever he wants...It's almost olike a drug addict that knows that there killing themselves with drugs but say **** it it feels good I don't care. I will be rooting for Evander though and praying to his god that i don't have to watch him die in there, it would be horrible for boxing but let's remember this is a Don King fight that's not in the U.S. so they can do whatever they want and will.

[Jone2ts]

I agree with you and fully think it's an outrage that he is able to keep fighting but if he wants to and theres no legal way of stopping him boxing will be protected to a certain degree. others will use it as amo to destroy boxing, but honestly most people know Holyfield wants to fight and unless they commit his ass no one will stop him from trying as long as he wants to.