Despite his majority decision defeat to WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev, Evander Holyfield has ruled out retirement for now and wants another shot at being world champion for the fifth time.
Despite an impressive display from 46-year-old Holyfield here on Saturday night, the judges scored the fight 114-114, 116-112, 115-114 in Valuev’s favour as the giant Russian successfully defended the vacated title he won against John Ruiz in August.
Holyfield, who beat the likes of Riddick Bowe, Mike Tyson, George Foreman and James “Buster” Douglas in the 1990s, has now lost five of his last nine fights, but was the crowd favourite here at the 12,500 sell-out Hallenstadion.
Despite being crowned world champion in 1990, 1993, 1996 and 2000, he now has a record of ten defeats, 42 wins with 27 knock-outs and two draws from his 54 fights.
But having gone 12 rounds with Valuev, Holyfield looked in top physical shape and says the shoulder injury he was carrying in his previous fight, against Sultan Ibragimov in October 2007, is now history.
With several voices in the boxing world questioning whether he should continue, Holyfield says he will prove any doubters wrong.
“I don’t doubt myself, people doubt me, but I have a history of proving people wrong,” he said.
“I always make good bets, I know who I am.
“Unfortunately, I was injured before my previous fight and I actually thought I could win even though my shoulder was bust up.
“I didn’t complain, I just went out and fought.
“I am healed now and, at the age of 46, I can still do it.
“I put in a good performance and it will be better if I fight him again.”
Holyfield’s coach Thomas Brooks insisted the best fighter lost, while his manager Kenneth Sanders said he wants a re-match here next year which Valuev’s camp immediately said was possible.
But the fighter was gracious in defeat and with Valuev now due to defend his title against Ruslan Chagaev – the only man to beat him in 52 fights – Holyfield wants another shot at trying to be the oldest world champion in history.
“Of course I am disappointed,” said Holyfield. “I thought I had won the fight, I thought I had won more rounds than he did.
“Now I will just have to go home, rest and think about my future.
“My goal is to be heavyweight champion of the world, I am not interested in fighting for the sake of fighting, I want to be a champion again and that hasn’t changed.
“I am honoured to have had the opportunity to fight for the title.”
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