MANILA, Philippines – Five-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield has prodded superstar fighters Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. to get their act together so that they can finally battle in the ring.
“What people don’t realize is that you are fortunate enough to have some tough fighters in your division,” Holyfield told Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News.
Holyfield said this at the Michigan International Speedway where he served as the grand marshal for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series CARFAX 400 on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).
He also stated that he was surprised that Pacquiao and Mayweather, regarded as the world’s top welterweights, have not yet agreed to a face-off.
“In that fight somebody’s going to get the nod and somebody’s not, but you ought to be thankful to have the opportunity to match your skills with somebody,” added the 47-year-old boxer who clashed with Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson in his prime.
Negotiations for the Pacquiao-Mayweather clash crumbled for a second time due to Mayweather’s reported snub of a deadline to agree.
Fight talks fell apart for the first time after the boxers disagreed on the drug testing protocol.
Holyfield sides with Pacquiao
Just like in his previous statements, Holyfield favored Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 knockouts) over Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs). (Read: Holyfield says Pacquiao bigger draw than Floyd)
He said that there is nothing to lose if Pacquiao, the 7-division world champion, faces Mayweather.
However, it is the other way around for the undefeated American.
“Of course (the fight) benefits Pacquiao more because if he loses nobody will think anything because he’s a nice guy,” Holyfield stated.
“But because Mayweather made things harder by his bragging, if he loses, it kind of puts him back real far and maybe make people think he's not as great as he says he is,” he added.
Gunning for 6th title
Meanwhile, Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KOs) shifted from discussing the boxing world’s most-awaited fight to talking about his upcoming fight on November 5.
He will face 37-year-old Bahamian Sherman Williams (34-11-2, 19 KOs) at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Holyfield will be 48 while Williams will be 38 by then.
“My goal is to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and even at 48 one of the most important things I have done is I have taken care of myself. I train and I do the things that’s necessary that I think it takes to be the very best,” noted Holyfield.
“I believe that I will be the very best because I will be the heavyweight champion of the world and if not this year, next year, and if not that then the next,” he went on. “I think I'll get it before I get 50.” – With a report from Josh Katzenstein, The Detroit News
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