HOLYFIELD – AN INHERENT WINNER
By Ron Brashear
Inside Boxing Writer/Columnist
Photo: John Koepper/InsideBoxing.com (Click on
picture for larger view)
(IB – October 12, 2007) – There have been a lot of comments and concerns made
about Four-time Heavyweight Champion Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield (41-8-2,
27 Kos) for remaining in the dangerous sport of boxing at the age of 44 years
old, soon to be 45.
This Saturday night, Evander will be taking on undefeated WBO Heavyweight
Champion Sultan Ibragimov (21-0-1, 17 Kos) in Moscow, Russia in an attempt to
become the five-time World Champion.
The BIG question is why? For me, the answer is rather simple. Evander is doing
this because he is a WINNER. He has, and always will be, a WINNER. That is what
sets him apart from many other champions.
Evander refuses to let others dictate his destiny and decide what he is and is
not capable of accomplishing. There is a big lesson to be learned from Evander
and hopefully it will inspire others around the world to CHASE YOUR DREAMS.
Let’s face it, there is no rewind button in life. At some point in time, we are
all going to expire on earth.
Based on what I know about Evander, and having followed his illustrious career,
interviewed him, etc, he isn’t doing this for other people, he competes against
himself. He challenges himself and he truly believes that the only person that
can defeat him…is himself.
So it will not be that big of a shock to me if he is successful in winning the
World Championship tomorrow in Russia. One thing is for certain, Ibragimov
surely better bring his A game because there is no doubt, Evander is going to
bring his A game.
This is why I state that Evander is an inherent winner.
in•her•ent ?n'h??r ?nt, -'h?r- - Show Spelled Pronunciation[in-heer-uh nt,
-her-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1. existing in someone or something as a permanent and inseparable element,
quality, or attribute: an inherent distrust of strangers.
2. Grammar. standing before a noun.
3. inhering; infixed.
The only “human” that can truly judge you are the eyes that look back at you in
the mirror. Even if the outcome of this fight doesn’t turn out in Evander’s
favor, he won by having the courage to travel to Russia, take on a champion that
is twelve years younger than he, and by having the belief in himself that he can
rise to the challenge and make the impossible…possible.
While I definitely do not want to see Evander get severely hurt, I have to
believe that he understands the risk at hand. It is his choice and I respect
that. How many 44 year olds do you know that have a body like Evander Holyfield?
He is not at the point in life to go sit on the couch and discontinue working
out and remaining fit. So, if you can get paid to do what you love to do, while
exercising your body, who are we to HATE on that?
Evander said it best when he stated; "I really don't focus on what people say. I
am willing to get up every morning and train hard to become the best fighter
that I can be. That's what drives me. I understand that they have a right
believe what they want. And I have a right to work hard."
Given that, I am looking forward to watching Evander work hard in an attempt to
defeat Ibragimov. Evander has given boxing fans around the world plenty of
excitement over the years and when his career finally is over, hopefully folks
will look back and say; “I am glad I was around during his time and got to watch
him perform…what a warrior!”
I will end with this note. When you hear the term Pound-for-Pound to distinguish
who is the best fighter in the world, it’s Holyfield who has won my vote in this
category. When you have an athlete who has the natural body size of a
light-heavyweight (175lbs), but bulks up to become a heavyweight and captures
the title four-times against larger athletes, he is a WINNER BY DEFAULT in my
book.
So tune into to PAY-PER-VIEW and witness this historic event on October 13th
live on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT and carries a suggested
retail price of $34.95. The pre-show will begin at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 p.m. PT.
iN DEMAND will broadcast live at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday and follow with
replays at 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. (Sunday). Direct TV will carry the event live
beginning at 1 p.m. ET then run replays at 7 p.m., 10 p.m. and 1:00 a.m.
(Sunday). All times ET.
You have just gone InsideBoxing.com
Ron Brashear can be contacted at brashear@insideboxing.com, ron@youthofhonor.org
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