1. How in the world is Valuev considered a champion to begin with? He edged John Ruiz for the title vacated when Ruslan Chagaev got hurt ... and no one really considered Chagaev to be heavyweight champ to begin with as his only meaningful wins were a split decision over Ruiz and a majority decision over Valuev. There's debate over who the real heavyweight champ is, but everyone agrees his last name is Klitschko.
2. How in the world did Holyfield get yet another title shot? He's 46, he was coming off a loss (14 months ago!) and his record over the past ten years was 6-6-2. And he had been unsuccessful in his last four title fights.
3. Why on earth was this fight on pay-per-view? And not only PPV, but grainy, non-high-definition PPV ... with a weak undercard, no punch stats for the main event and no translators in Valuev's corner between rounds or for his post-fight interview. Announcers Nick Charles and the always honest and entertaining Al Bernstein provided the telecast's only semblance of professionalism.
4. The fight itself had less action and drama than any fight I have ever seen ... with or without a title on the line ... in any weight class. It was really that bad. There were multiple rounds that were difficult to score because neither man landed a single meaningful punch.
5. The majority decision (116-112, 115-114, 114-114) for Valuev was dreadful and deserved the loud booing it received from the crowd of 12,500 in Zurich, Switzerland. Corruption or incompetence are the only possible explanations for the 116-112 scorecard from Italy's Pierluigi Poppi. Holyfield certainly didn't do anything the least bit special, but he just as certainly did more than Valuev to win this fight. Holyfield would leap in once or twice per round and occasionally bounced a glancing shot off the Russian's giant head. Valuev did nothing ... for round after round. As he headed out for the final round, Valuev's cut man told him he needed to knock Holyfield out to win. At least he was watching the fight ...
6. The stink from this entire event is likely to linger for a while and produce some undesirable after effects. Valuev keeps his belt which means at least one more ugly title defense in the future - most likely another dull 12 rounder against either Chagaev or Ruiz. No thanks. Valuev's other alternative is losing his title to one of the Klitschkos.
As for Holyfield, this bout will - unfortunately - do nothing to move him closer to retirement. In fact, it might even get him another title shot - in a rematch with Valuev. A fight with either Klitschko would be a dangerous mismatch. If not a title shot, perhaps Holyfield will stoop to a fourth meeting with another fighter who should be long-retired -- Riddick Bowe. Say it ain't so Evander ...
Comments
Spot on. The old adage “as goes the heavyweights so goes boxing” is no longer true thank God or else boxing would truly be finished. We have seen the lighter weights put everything on the line and give it their all. Shame on all connected with the farce the heavyweight “world?” “chumpionship” has become. My view declare the championship void and start again using the only genuine rating system The Ring Magazine and pit the top six in an elimination tournament. Refuse to recognise the alphabet boys. One champ per weight. A fan boycott an advertising boycott hit these clowns financially.
S.O.S. Save Our Sport
Kernow
Who gave these ABC guys the right to name any fighter champion? They are just fight promotors who play the pay TV game. Free viewing comes up with much better cards.
thanks for a Quality, well-written article from someone who actually knows the sport. just finished reading yahoo sports article that had Valuev actually winning on their card 116-112 (are you kidding me?) Well, i guess we’re stuck w/ Valuev running scared and holding onto the belt for another couple years.
I was at the fight in Zurich. I can’t think of anything more wrong. What’s next, Ali vs Holyfield?
You absolutely identified the attributes of any bad heavyweight fight:
1) anything to which John Ruiz is associated in any way.
2) any title fight out of Europe
3) anything involving Valuev
I would add anything involving Holyfield but I still have fond memories of him beating Tyson and his bouts against Bowe/Qawi.
If it had been Ali getting robbed, nobody would be criticizing him or his effort in the fight. He would be praised for fighting a smart fight and doing enough to win. “..at age 46, Ali was cagey enough to conserve energy by doing what he had to do to win practically every round…’The Greatest’..”
But its Evander, who never got credit, even in his prime. Nevermind the FACT, that he was a true champion who always came ready to fight and was always consistent. The FACT, that he was the PPV king until very recently. He beat giants in the ring and did so again vs. Valuev, yet the sport wants to tell him to go home, and thanks for the memories, but we know whats better for you. He’s a marvel at 46 and still entertains and commands headlines, however negative and unfair they may be. But the fans are the true judges of the man, and the boos over the decision, and the cheers he gets in every fight is a testament to how people really feel about him. If people didnt want to see him fight, they wouldnt show up.
Evander should be WBA Champ. If Valuev would have dominated him, nobody would be calling the WBA a farce or Valuev a fraud. But since Holyfield won, the boxing world want to do whatever they can to discredit him and hopefully send him into retirement, with special help from the judges.
Shameful!
hello
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tanke you yashar enami
I am a die hard holyfield fan. I think Evander should fight the young klitschko. I think Evander still has one knock out punch left, and if he was able to land it in the first 5 rounds he would win. Tell me what you think.