By Mark Vester

According to the Las Vegas Sun, the Nevada State Athletic Commission has granted former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield a one-fight license to box. Holyfield will likely return on April 17 against Francois Botha. Holyfield (42-10-2, 27 KO) has not fought in the state since a 2003 TKO loss to James Toney. The fight could happen at the Orleans Casino in Las Vegas.

Holyfield only received a one-fight license after retinal scarring was found. He must have a retinal inspection before any future fights can happen in the state. NSAC's executive director Keith Kizer did not think he would ever grant Holyfield another license but the veteran proved himself by putting together a few wins over the last few years and almost unseating then WBA champion Nikolai Valuev in 2008.

“To his credit, he took some time off, as you can tell from his record,” Kizer said. “It’s kind of strange, sitting here at the end of 2004 or 2005, we were pretty much saying this guy is done — it’s silly to even talk about getting him a license again. But then he came back and proved himself.”

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