Real Deal Returns

When the conversation starts about who is the greatest heavyweight fighter of all time is, Evander Holyfield's name usually ends up in the conversation. And why not. The man called the Real Deal had 57 professional fights, and went 44-10-2 in his career. He hasn't had a professional fight since 2011, when he announced his retirement. Or so we thought.

June 5th is the date when the 58 year old fighter comes out of retirement for an exhibition fight against Kevin McBride. This coming off the heels of the Tyson-Jones fight a couple months back. Oh and it gets even better from here. On March 22, Holyfield released a statement through a publicist that said Holyfield and Tyson were in negotiations for a third fight between the two men. They fought in 1996 and 1997, with the second fight ending in a Tyson disqualification after he bit Holyfield's ear. According to Holyfield, Tyson's camp turned down a $25 million guarantee to face Holyfield in Miami during Memorial Day weekend (ESPN).

From a nostalgic standpoint, these are great ideas. From a quality fight perspective, this isn't making a whole lot of sense. McBride it might, but not for Holyfield. Evander is 58 and hasn't had a fight in ten years. There's no doubt in anybody's mind that he is one of the greatest fighters to step foot inside a boxing ring. At this point in his life, though, is it really worth it? I guess it must be worth it with a lot of old time boxers coming out for fights now a days. Thankfully its only exhibitions and they aren't returning full time to fight