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'Real Deal' ready to defy laws of biology

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-19 13:58

ZURICH - Former world heayweight champion Evander Holyfield said on Wednesday he was ready to surprise everybody and regain the world title by becoming the oldest-ever champion at the age of 46 when he faces WBA titleholder Nikolai Valuev of Russia in Switzerland's cultural capital on Saturday.

World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev (left) faces US challenger Evander Holyfield during a press conference on Wednesday in Zurich. AFP

The four-time world champion - who lost his last world title in 2000 and has not fought since he lost to Sultan Ibragimov in Moscow last year - said that experience and not age could count against the 35-year-old Russian giant when they face off against a packed-out stadium of 12,500 spectators.

"I will display a performance that will surprise many people," said the pugilist known as the 'Real Deal'.

"I have been asked about my age so many times but that is fine. It is not about how old you are.

"It is about how old you feel and what you can do inside the ring. I am very experienced and I know what I have to do against Valuev. I am in great shape and I really look forward to Saturday night."

Valuev, who holds a huge height advantage over his American rival, said while he respected Holyfield's reputation that stood for nothing once he got into the ring.

"It is something very special to fight an accomplished champion such as Evander Holyfield," said Valuev, who recaptured the WBA title when he beat John Ruiz in Berlin in August this year.

"He is a living legend and I am full of respect for him. However, once you are inside the ring, neither names nor titles matter any more. I have trained very well and I will put on a good performance on Saturday night."

Valuev's manager Wilfried Sauerland admitted the showdown will be one of the biggest fights he has ever staged.

"This is a very special bout," he said. "Holyfield has been heavyweight champion four times. He faces the biggest champion of all time. It is a clash of the superlatives," he added with classical boxing-related understatement.

Both fighters also responded to questions over the size of their respective houses with Holyfield gladly confirming his house has over 100 rooms in it.

"Yes, that is true," Holyfield said. "I have worked very hard for it. And that is what I will do on Saturday night. Work hard to win the title."

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However, Valuev admitted he was still waiting to move into his house. "My new house is not finished yet. These kind of things take a little longer in Russia."

Holyfield, who during his peak years had part of his ear bitten off by opponent Mike Tyson, owns a record of 42 wins and 27 KOs with nine defeats - four of which have come in the last six years while Valuev owns a record of 49 wins and 34 KOs with one defeat.

The clash will take place in Zurich's Hallenstadion where Muhammad Ali stopped German heavyweight Jurgen Blin in the seventh round of their meeting in 1971.

AFP