Evander Holyfield has been one of the greatest boxers of the last two decades, ever since he burst onto the scene at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. Although not as heralded as some of the other members of that class, like Pernell Whitaker and Meldrick Taylor, Holyfield has forged a legend that can not be overlooked. His trilogy of bouts with Riddick Bowe will go down as one of the best rivalries in boxing history and helped define his career as a heavyweight.
He won the heavyweight championship of the world after reigning supreme as a cruiserweight and he's fought every prominent heavyweight of his era, from Mike Tyson to Lennox Lewis, usually with positive results. But lately, he's looked old and washed up. And an old, washed-up fighter is a dangerous fighter, if only because of the potential for permanent injury. And for that sake alone, Evander needs to wake up and realize it's over.
He's had a great career, winning considerably more often than he's lost, but the accumulation of hard-fought rounds has taken their toll. In his last few fights, his performance has been embarrassing. In his last fight Saturday night against a very ordinary Larry Donald, Holyfield landed an average of six punches per round. SIX! A one-armed fighter with vertigo could deliver more blows than that. In his previous fight before Donald, he was beaten handily by Chris Byrd. And before that, against James Toney, he was so outmatched his trainer threw in the towel rather than allow his fighter absorb more punishment.
However, in true alternate universe logic, Holyfield blamed his poor performances on back spasms (Donald), a bum left shoulder (Byrd), and leg cramps (Lewis). These are all signs of an aging boxer's body breaking down, but Evander would like us all to believe that he's just suffered from a long run of bad luck.
Evander is traveling down a dangerous path. Boxers before him have denied the effects of Father Time and have continued to fight, often with devastating consequences. Evander need only look to boxing history to see the debilitating effects hanging around too long has on a fighter.
Muhammad Ali once was the most loquacious and electrifying athletes of all-time. However, age and the accrued punishment of three hellacious wars with Joe Frazier, not to mention the Rumble in the Jungle with George Foreman, eventually caught up to him and reduced him to a shell of his former self.
If Evander has any doubts about what a formerly great champion looks like against a younger, better-conditioned fighter, he should sit down on his couch and pop in a tape of Ali's last fight against an almost apologetic Larry Holmes.
It's sad that boxers, and athletes in general, rarely realize when it's time to quit. Luckily, the New York State Athletic Commission stepped up and suspended Holyfield indefinitely. With all the other state athletic commissions following suit, Holyfield is, in effect, barred from fighting in this country, which is a good thing. Since Holyfield is unable, and unwilling, to do the deed himself, someone needed to intervene on his behalf and make the decision for him.
Boxing isn't a sport that lends itself too often to compassion, but by suspending Holyfield, the NYSAC has shown just that ... especially when there are promoters out there who will continue to ride him until he drops. (Are you listening, Don King?)
Evander, you've had an amazing career. No one will ever be able to take that away from you and us. Your accomplishments are worthy of enshrinement in the Hall of Fame. Stop now so you'll at least be able to enjoy your induction ceremony. The time is now, Evander. Come back to our world and you'll realize that it's time, too.
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