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Editor’s note: This article was originally published on MMAJunkie.com.
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HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Evander Holyfield will step in the ring this Saturday while being a little over a year away from his 60th birthday.
The four-time heavyweight champion returns to action against former UFC champion Vitor Belfort in the main event of Triller Fight Club Legends II this Saturday at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Holyfield is coming back after a decade away from the sport. He was 48 when he stopped Brian Nielsen in 2011. And although he appears to be in great physical shape, many online have concerns about a return to competition at this stage of his life.
Holyfield said he’s taken care of his health and believes this return could show younger fighters the importance of self-care.
“Well, the thing is that I’ve been in good shape and I’ve been taking care of my body,” Holyfield told MMA Junkie. “I didn’t have a lot of bad habits that a lot of people have and that’s a big part of it. Talking to the younger people, you take care of yourself while you’re young and when you get older still take care of yourself. If you take care of yourself on both sides you’ll be alright.”
Holyfield faces Belfort on short notice. He replaced Oscar De La Hoya, who had to withdraw after contracting COVID-19.
“The Real Deal” is unsure if this fight will be his last, but he will treat it as such.
“This is like a one-off because after every fight, I’m like, ‘I don’t know,’” Holyfield said. “After each and every fight you have to make a decision: Are you going to do it again or not?’
“At any given time if I decided I don’t want to do it no more, it’s OK”