Attention Heavyweight Division: Don't Upset Evander Holyfield

Evander Holyfield is closing in on 50, but for me at least, watching him do his thing never gets old. I've been looking forward to a fight with Frans Botha since it was just a rumor because you know what you're going to get from both men. Holyfield comes to hit things hard and The White Buffalo fights his ass off before getting knocked out spectacularly. When the PPV broadcast was over I felt like I got my money's worth, which is more than I can say for many other shows I've bought.

Yeah, I bought it. You won't believe this, but I had a helluva time trying to find someone to split it with. Crazy, I know. Oh well. Their loss.

Holyfield-Botha was something of a fantasy fight.

Not that the world needed or even wanted to see it, but because the entire scene looked like something from a crazy dream. In one corner you have a near 50 year old Holyfield, still looking like he did when he became my favourite fighter many years ago. In the other corner stood Frans Botha, looking like a cool biker/pro wrestler.

The washed up version of a typical small time promoter, the weird looking belt, red canvas and blacked out arena (not many fans bought tickets to see it, I guess.... suckers!) all helped to create an atmosphere that can only be described as surreal. If Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas had a fight scene, it may have looked a lot like what went down at the Thomas and Mack on Saturday night.

Considering everything, the fight was a lot of fun. Botha opened up strong, using his deceptive quickness and awkward moves to mess with Holyfield's rhythm. The first two rounds saw everything go his way. He got off first, slammed right hands to the ribs effectively and held on whenever he wanted.

Between rounds 2 and 3, I noticed that The Real Deal was still bone dry in the corner, which probably contributed to the slow start. I think he was trying so hard to let his hands go in combination that he forced many of the shots, which hurt his balance. You could see that he wanted to let loose, but the timing wasn't there.

Botha just kept doing what he's done his entire career, and at one point he really had me worried. Evander never liked getting hit in the ribs so when Frans was digging in with those short right hands to the ribs some concern began to creep in. The last thing a 47 year old warhorse needs is a 250 lb man nailing him downstairs at will.

Then something glorious happened.

As the 6th round began, I noted to my girlfriend (who was ignoring the action) that Holyfield looked angry, and from that moment on it was like I was aboard a blissful time machine. That particular frame started and ended with Botha being staggered by the legendary power of the rejuvenated warrior.

The portly victim tried his best to hold on for dear life (as they all do), but the now snarling old man blasted him with hook after hook on the inside. With lungs burning, Botha had nowhere to hide, but he kept on trying to land the right hand that might bail him out.

It looked like it was slipping away for the underdog by the 8th round. The old(er) timer was coming hard and mean, while he was fading. But Frans Botha lays down for no man. He fights to the end, win lose or draw. Unfortunately for him, you don't beat Evander Holyfield by being gutsy.

The fight was effectively over after Evander met his man head on with a crushing right hand to the face. Botha went down in a heap and I started laughing hysterically out of pure joy. Boxing has given me a lot over the years, but there's simply nothing better in this world than when Holyfield catches some poor bastard on the button with his crushing power.

Somehow Botha got to his feet, but the fight was quickly halted when referee Rusell Mora saw the ferocity in Holyfield's eyes.

I could watch the man beat up palookas til he's 60, but that's not the way Evander Holyfield does business. He still wants the best out there. The problem is that Wladimir Klitschko is a 6'6, 250 lb safety first operator who will have no problem running, holding and jabbing his way to a timid decision. No one wants to see that.

I say bring on some more 90's fantasy fights! Holyfield-Tua is as ripe as it's ever going to get. That's another fight that's better than virtually everything else these sorry heavyweights could possibly offer.

If he has his heart set on punishing one of the young pretenders out there, bring on Cris Arreola's jiggling waistline. Holyfield's left hook would send the youngster to the canvas hard, with only his back fat (okay, that's maybe taking things too far, but is it too hard for these young heavies to get into shape!?) to cushion the fall.

Whoever gets the call better make sure they're very polite to the legend, because no one wants to deal with a pissed off Real Deal.

e-mail Lee Payton