September 11 Evander Holyfield Comeback Moves to Florida Hard Rock Casino as Exhibition Bout
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Hollywood, FL (September 6th, 2021)– The comeback of former World Heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield against MMA star and former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort has changed venues from California to Florida on September 11, 2021. The California State Athletic Commission refused to sanction Holyfield’s return as a late replacement for the cruiserweight comeback attempt of ex-champion Oscar De La Hoya, who remains hospitalized with the coronavirus.
Holyfield, 58, 44-10-2 with 29 knockouts, Atlanta, Georgia, had been scheduled to fight a sanctioned heavyweight eight rounder, two minute rounds with Kevin McBride, who like Holyfield defeated Mike Tyson back in the day. Holyfield’s last bout, a tenth round stoppage of Brian Nielsen in May 2011, was ten years ago, and the period of inactivity may have figured into the CSAS’s reluctance to clear Holyfield to replace De La Hoya so close to the scheduled bout, even if De La Hoya’s eight rounder with Belfort was also sanctioned at two minute rounds. For reader’s information, pro boxing bouts for men are normally three minute rounds for men, two minute rounds for women, but it can be sanctioned either way depending on the rules of the commission.
Holyfield’s Triller Fight Club televised USA Fite card main event eight round exhibition with Belfort will move from Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, to Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The card also features super featherweight Andy Vences versus Jono Carroll in a ten rounder, and MMA cruiserweight Anderson Silva versus debuting Tito Ortiz in an eight rounder. No word as to if and when Holyfield’s originally scheduled bout with Kevin McBride will be rescheduled after the Belfort exhibition.
COMMENTS
English