Boxing: Holyfield begins final comeback

Adam Wolf

BBC


Evander Holyfield

Holyfield last fought in New York on 13 November, 2004
Evander Holyfield begins a comeback on Friday which he hopes will end in an unprecedented fifth world title.

America's former undisputed heavyweight champion, now aged 43, fights journeyman Jeremy Bates in Dallas.

Holyfield has won only one of his last six fights, and his last loss was so was lacklustre that New York boxing officials revoked his licence.

But the four-time title holder said: "I am supposed to retire on top and I know that I can."

Holyfield had no problem getting a licence in Texas, and he weighed in on Thursday at 100kg (220lbs).

Bates, who has a 21-11-1 record and had quit the ring before Holyfield came calling, weighed in at 102kg (225.5lbs).

Holyfield, who claims to have a ranked opponent lined up for his next bout, said: "This is just to let people know that I can fight.

He plans to have a title fight in 2007 and to have all the belts around his waist, "by the time that Olympics comes," in 2008.

"When they put out the flame, I'll be retired," he said. "Maybe right there in Beijing."

The four significant world heavyweight titles are currently held by four different boxers, and Holyfield believes his return to the fray will create a stir.

"People are going to say 'can he do it?'. That's going to bring interest," he said. "If I just beat one of them guys, everybody will go crazy."