By James Slater – Though in truth not too many fans were interested in seeing it happen in the first place, the on/off/on again fight between heavyweight legend Evander Holyfield and journeyman Sherman “The Tank” Williams has proven to be a very stubborn bout indeed. Twice (or was it three times?) the fight fell through, only for it to be back on yet again for January 22nd in West Virginia.
The fight will serve as a “tune-up” for the 48-year-old Holyfield’s upcoming March fight against Danish hero Brian Nielsen. Amazingly, both bouts will be available on Pay-Per-View! If either fight does well in terms of TV sales, it will only be down to the fascination fans still have when it comes to great, or once great, heavyweights. And who is more of a fan-favourite than the once formidable “Real Deal?”
Even at his current age and after having had such a long and hard fighting career, the 43-10-2(28) Holyfield should be able to defeat both Williams and Nielsen – even if the near-50-year-old will be embarking on his most active three month spell in a very long time. Holyfield fought just once in 2008, not at all in 2009, and just once in 2010. Now, with 2011 approaching, the former four-time heavyweight ruler has a busy year ahead of him..
The Williams fight could well go the distance, seeing as how the 38-year-old who is 34-11-2(19) has been stopped just once as a pro. “Tank” is as durable as his nickname would suggest, no doubt, but can he upset Holyfield or will he go home with a 12th points loss added to his record? Unless “The Warrior” has gone back farther than we think he has, he should be the guy collecting a points win.
How much energy Evander will then be left with for his March 5th trip to Copenhagen, we can only guess. Williams, who holds a win over another faded former cruiserweight in Al “Ice” Cole, as well as a draw with the huge Jameel McCline, can punch some and he could make Holyfield work hard as a result.
At least Holyfield is being matched with fellow veterans these days. Williams is pushing 40 and he has been inactive since his October 2009 points loss to Manuel Charr; while Nielsen is 45-years-old and has been out of the ring since 2002! Needless to say, the prime Evander Holyfield would have wiped out both guys with some ease. But today? Though we don’t really want to see how the future Hall of Famer will cope with a combo that is made up of an inactive journeyman and an even more inactive former contender, we are going to find out what happens early next year.
Holyfield, of course, insists he will fight for as long as it takes for him to become undisputed heavyweight champion again. 2011 promises (or threatens) to be some active year for the man who turned pro way back in 1984!