Holyfield Suspended; Career Over?

Former champ Evander Holyfield, 42, has been banned from fighting by the New York State Athletic Commission. The decision by NYSAC chairman Ron Stevens comes on the heels of Holyfield's lackluster performance in getting nearly shut out by Larry Donald, landing only 78 punches over 12 one-sided rounds. Holyfield will need to be cleared by a commission physician before being licensed to fight anywhere in the U.S. because other states will honor the ban.

Holyfield's career record stands at 38-8-2 but only 2-5-2 over his last nine bouts. Nevertheless, Holyfield's team is apparently going to challenge the suspension and likely has a good case. While it's obvious that Holyfield's skills have seriously deteriorated, the NYSAC appears on shaky grounds in making the judgement call that he is no longer fit to fight. There are plenty of other fighters who are at greater risk of getting hurt when they enter the ring but they're not household names and banning them wouldn't get the NYSAC a mention in the mainstream media. Holyfield definitely SHOULD retire, but he also SHOULD have the right to continue to fight if he (ill-advisedly) chooses to do so.