Hopefully you didn't buy this stinker on pay-per-view. The first two rounds between former heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield and journeyman Sherman Williams were uneventful ... until late in round two when an accidental butt from Williams opened a cut over Holyfield's left eye. Even that seemed uneventful at the time, as the fight announcers did not even mention the clash of heads after the round or at any time during round three.
Round three, however, was eventful because Williams began landing overhand rights that had Holyfield on somewhat unstable legs. At the end of round three, Holyfield complained to his corner that there was blood in his eye and he could not see. With Holyfield unable and/or unwilling to continue, the bout was quickly declared a no contest.
Holyfield has been a warrior throughout his long career so it's hard to accuse him of quitting on his stool (and there's no way of telling how badly his vision was impacted by the blood), but the cut didn't look that bad and it certainly looked like Holyfield had no interest whatsoever in coming out for round four.
Watch the fight and judge for yourself whether Holyfield quit:
Video: Evander Holyfield vs. Sherman Williams
While Holyfield is likely to continue to fight as long as boxing commissions like the one in West Virginia continue to grant him a license, the cut definitely jeopardizes Holyfield's scheduled March 5 fight against Brian Nielsen ... which is not necessarily a bad thing.
Comments
Hey there, my brother-in-law was at the fight I will ask him tonight as he was very close there and let you know what he says.
Thanks,
Bea
Mr. Holyfield fights on in part or mostly because he has serious money problems supporting an exaggerated lifestyle of luxury, and many, many ladies with many, many children, and I suspect other money issues. Unfortunately, it is difficult to see that he is at all competitive with the upper stratum of a division that is very poor in talent these days. George Forman, a man of great talent, and as it turns out, a man of wisdom as well, understood that it was time to stop. If Mr. Holyfield will not stop, he is certainly at risk of serious physical and mental damage. I cannot understand why he is allowed to continue and there will soon come a time when he will be seriously hurt.
I have been a passionate fight fan my entire life. My Dad was a very successful amateur and pro, and I fought PAL and Golden Gloves.
First of all, the heavyweights today are a major disappointment; they have no skills, have fought very few total fights, have no passion, and are far from”warriors”. There have been rare exceptions such as Louis, Marciano, Wolcott, Patterson,(way too small), Ali, Foreman, and Tyson at his peak. I only watch the lighter weights from the Super Middleweights on down to the Lightweights now, for the occasional “good” fight by skilled men of passion..
If Holyfield had remained a light heavyweight he would definitely been one of the greatest of all time, close to Archie Moore. As a heavyweight he had two things going for him; he was a skilled boxer and he had no quit in him. Holyfield always had huge heart. (He also was very skilled with his head; he could butt like a Ram”).
Holyfield quitting like that only shows that at his age, and with the amount of wars he has fought; that huge heart and his passion no longer come into the ring with him. Something is driving him and he obviously still has courage; anyone who climbs through those ropes and into the ring to face another man has courage.
He must not be allowed by the jackals of our sport to fight another fight or be part of an exhibition. We owe him his health and his dignity.
We all know in the Prizefight Industry certain matches, are not clever. This Prizefight served absolutely no purpose. Look how the NFL , is attempting to do something about the players from the 70′s , & 80′s are making believe they are doing something. We all know the devastation a match like this hurts everyone in our industry.The powers that be , should be seriously penalized. .
i just youtubed the fight i have to say it was a nasty cut above the eye if he was a younger fighter i wouldve said he shouldve continued but at 48 i believe it was the right decision to quit
Ran into Evander Holyfield & he was angry about my comment. In retrospect The Warrior is right & I was wrong. A Prizefighter is allowed to make a living. On top Holyfield told me his opponent is an NFL professional , not a Prizefighter, therefore. Evander ” Aaron there was no chance of me being hurt at that bout, unless the Referee allowed tackling. Holyfield went on about my promise to have Box for me in The Holyland”. Boxing fans, I value your opinions. Kindly call in or e-mail nyshockjock.com 1- Should Evander Hang Em’ Up? 2- Evander Holyfield VS. ? “Keep On Punchin.”.