At a time in his life where he should be content to watch people get hit, though, Holyfield insists on taking the blows himself. He goes ahead blindly, believing that he still has the skills to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world once again.
"My whole life, people have wanted to retire me," Holyfield said. "They have said that I was no good. They have said that I was too small, but all it is, is talk. The most important thing for me is not my age. It is that I have taken good care of myself."
Even in today's diluted heavyweight world, Holyfield is clinging to a fantasy. Ten of his last eleven fights were for the heavyweight title, but now he's reduced to fighting a cruiserweight champion tonight with nothing but his pride at stake.
Toney may be moving up in weight but he has something Holyfield doesn't seem to have anymore -- reflexes that allow him to throw a punch when his mind tells him to.
If Holyfield should beat Toney -- and that's a big if -- he sees a possible fight with WBA heavyweight champion Roy Jones Jr. While he waits, the months and years will continue to tick by.
Boxing is a cruel master which waits for no man, even Evander Holyfield.
Holyfield should quit fooling himself, and stop conning his fans.
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