Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
10 greatest living heavyweights: Is Tyson Fury on the list?
When three-time heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali died at 74 in 2016, boxing lost arguably its greatest heavyweight of all time.
Who is currently the No. 1 living heavyweight?
Well, that’s up for debate, which is the point of this special report. Boxing Junkie gives you the 10 greatest living members of the sport’s glamour division.
Here’s the list, in reverse order.
Is Mike Tyson planning to fight Logan Paul in February?
Next up for Mike Tyson: Logan Paul?
The former heavyweight champion, who fought Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition in November, told The Sun that he plans to return to the ring in February against what he called “a really stimulating opponent.”
That opponent is rumored to be Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer who took on Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition in June.
The social media outlet Drama Alert, citing “sources,” tweeted that Tyson would in fact face Paul but didn’t provide details.
“I am going to have a return fight in February, and we are pretty skeptical about the opponent, but it will be a really stimulating opponent,” Tyson told The Sun.
Tyson wouldn’t confirm that Paul will be his opponent but he was asked for an earlier interview whether he’d face Paul or his brother, Jake Paul. He was enthusiastic about the idea of fighting Logan Paul.
“Yeah, hell yeah,” he said, according to The Sun. He added: “That would be a lot of money.”
Tyson said he would not fight Jake Paul, another YouTube star who has become a boxer. He said the two have become too close as friends to do battle.
Another possible opponent for Tyson is former foe Lennox Lewis, he told ES News. Evander Holyfield was a leading candidate until he was stopped by Vitor Belfort last month.
“Evander f—-d up the money. We gotta do it with Lennox [Lewis] now,” Tyson said.
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Is Mike Tyson planning to fight Logan Paul in February?
Next up for Mike Tyson: Logan Paul?
The former heavyweight champion, who fought Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition in November, told The Sun that he plans to return to the ring in February against what he called “a really stimulating opponent.”
That opponent is rumored to be Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer who took on Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition in June.
The social media outlet Drama Alert, citing “sources,” tweeted that Tyson would in fact face Paul but didn’t provide details.
“I am going to have a return fight in February, and we are pretty skeptical about the opponent, but it will be a really stimulating opponent,” Tyson told The Sun.
Tyson wouldn’t confirm that Paul will be his opponent but he was asked for an earlier interview whether he’d face Paul or his brother, Jake Paul. He was enthusiastic about the idea of fighting Logan Paul.
“Yeah, hell yeah,” he said, according to The Sun. He added: “That would be a lot of money.”
Tyson said he would not fight Jake Paul, another YouTube star who has become a boxer. He said the two have become too close as friends to do battle.
Another possible opponent for Tyson is former foe Lennox Lewis, he told ES News. Evander Holyfield was a leading candidate until he was stopped by Vitor Belfort last month.
“Evander f—-d up the money. We gotta do it with Lennox [Lewis] now,” Tyson said.
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Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk: 3 cruiserweights who succeeded at heavyweight … 3 who didn’t.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published before his unanimous-decision victory over Derek Chisora last October.
***
Oleksandr Usyk isn’t breaking new ground by transitioning from a successful career at cruiserweight to heavyweight. Many have done it. A few have succeeded, most haven’t.
The obvious disadvantage for a natural cruiserweight is the weight he gives away to big heavyweights. For example, Derek Chisora, Usyk’s opponent on Saturday in London, weighed in Friday 38.5 pounds heavier than Usyk (255.5 to 217).
That’s a significant difference, one that only a special fighter can overcome. And remember: Usyk’s goal is to fight Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury one day. We’ll see how that works out.
Usyk (17-0, 13 KOs) stopped Chazz Witherspoon in seven rounds in his heavyweight debut in October of last year. So far good. But Chisora (32-9, 23 KOs) is expected to be a better gauge of how effective Usyk can be against the biggest men in the sport.
Here are three cruiserweights-turned-heavyweights who succeeded in the higher division and three who didn’t.
EVANDER HOLYFIELD
Record: 44-10-2 (29 KOs)
Titles at cruiserweight: Three (one reign)
Titles at heavyweight: Eight (four reigns)
Notable victories at heavyweight: Buster Douglas, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Riddick Bowe, Ray Mercer, Mike Tyson (twice), Michael Moorer
Background: Holyfield is arguably the best cruiserweight ever and one of the greatest heavyweights. “The Real Deal” was at a size disadvantage in many of his heavyweight fights but was a four-time titleholder, beating a string of big-name opponents along the way. He won his first 10 fights at heavyweight, including a knockout of Buster Douglas in 1990 to become champion in Douglas’ first fight after his upset of Mike Tyson. Then Holyfield had his first encounter with a prime behemoth, Riddick Bowe. Holyfield and Bowe engaged in one of the great three-fight series but Bowe emerged victorious twice. Holyfield then picked on someone his own size. In one of boxing’s greatest upsets, he stopped Mike Tyson to regain a belt in 1996 and then lost a portion of his ear in the rematch. He had his ups and downs after that but was always competitive and delivered exciting fights. He almost won a title for a fifth time in 2008, when he was 46, but lost a majority decision to giant Nikolai Valuev. He fought three more times and retired.
DAVID HAYE
Overall record: 28-4 (26 KOs)
Titles at cruiserweight: One (one reign)
Titles at heavyweight: One (one reign)
Notable victories at heavyweight: Monte Barrett, Nikolai Valuev, John Ruiz, Derek Chisora
Background: Haye was the king of the cruiserweight division in the 2000s, becoming undisputed champion and losing only to Carl Thompson by a stunning fifth-round knockout in 2004. “Hayemaker” made his debut as a full-fledged heavyweight in November 2008, when he stopped Monte Barrett in five rounds. In his next fight, a year later, he defeated Valuev by a majority decision to win one of the four major titles. He successfully defended against John Ruiz and Audley Harrison but then reached a little too high in an attempt to unify titles. A prime Wladimir Klitschko made Haye look like an undersized journeyman in July 2011, winning a wide decision in a fight that wasn’t remotely competitive. Haye blamed a toe injury afterward, making things worse for him. Haye wasn’t a great heavyweight by any stretch but he was good enough to win a major title and make two successful defenses. That’s a success.
TOMASZ ADAMEK
Overall record: 53-6 (31 KOs)
Titles at cruiserweight: One (one reign)
Titles at heavyweight: None
Notable victories at heavyweight: Andrew Golota, Chris Arreola, Michael Grant, Eddie Chambers, Steve Cunningham
Background: Adamek had a remarkable career overall. The tough, well-schooled Pole won his first 31 fights and captured titles at both light heavyweight and cruiserweight before trying his hand against the biggest boys. He started his heavyweight career with a knockout of countryman Andrew Golota and reeled off five more victories to earn a shot at then-champion Vitali Klitschko in 2011. That’s where things started to go south. Adamek demonstrated the grit for which he was known but ultimately was overwhelmed by a much bigger, better man. Klitschko won every round and scored a 10th-round knockout. Adamek had mixed success after that – including a five-fight winning streak – but never again fought for a world title. He retired in 2018. Why is he filed under “successful” here? Because he beat some good opponents and earned his shot at a title. Adamek was a solid heavyweight.
***
JAMES TONEY
Overall record: 77-10-3 (47 KOs)
Titles at cruiserweight: One (one reign)
Titles at heavyweight: None
Notable victories at heavyweight: Evander Holyfield, Fres Oquendo
Background: Toney could’ve been classified as “successful” here if he hadn’t failed a drug test and a few other things had gone his way. “Lights Out” is generally considered one of the most-gifted boxers of his generation even though he had issues with discipline. He won titles at middleweight, super middleweight and cruiserweight. Toney had a so-so experience in heavyweight waters but emerged with one impressive victory, a ninth-round stoppage of 40-year-old Evander Holyfield in 2003. And, in 2005, he defeated John Ruiz by a unanimous decision to win a major heavyweight title. However, days later, he tested positive for a steroid, the fight was ruled no-contest and Ruiz was reinstated as champion. Toney had mixed results after that – including a one-fight return to cruiserweight in which he lost to Denis Lebedev in 2011 – and never again fought for a meaningful heavyweight belt. Toney will be remembered as a great fighter but that has little to do with his years as a heavyweight.
DWIGHT MUHAMMAD QAWI
Overall record: 41-11-1 (25 KOs)
Titles at cruiserweight: One (one reign)
Titles at heavyweight: None
Notable victories at heavyweight: None
Background: Qawi, whose whirling-dervish style was reminiscent of Joe Frazer, was a beast at light heavyweight and cruiserweight. He beat a string of quality opponents and most notably gave Holyfield absolute hell in a classic 1986 cruiserweight fight before losing a split decision, all of which earned him a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. At heavyweight? Things didn’t go so well for the 5-foot-7 banger from New Jersey. Qawi’s first serious foray into the sport’s heaviest division was against George Forman in 1988 and he was stopped in seven rounds. He went back to fighting smaller men after that, with moderate success, before retiring in 1992. However, he couldn’t stay away. He returned once more as a heavyweight at 44 years old, beat two journeyman, lost to one (Tony LaRosa) and then walked away for good. Qawi (originally Dwight Braxton) is remembered as a fine light heavyweight and cruiserweight who was just too small to make it at heavyweight.
CARLOS DE LEON
Overall record: 53-8-1 (33 KOs)
Titles at cruiserweight: Four (four reigns)
Titles at heavyweight: None
Notable victories at heavyweight: None
Background: People might forget how good De Leon was at cruiserweight in the 1980s, although he had his ups and downs. The Puerto Rican had four reigns as WBC cruiserweight champ, meaning he lost his belt three times – including once by knockout against Evander Holyfield — but he had the resilience and determination to regain it three times before losing it for good. He had victories over Marvin Camel (twice), Leon Spinks and Yaqui Lopez, and he drew with Johnny Nelson. He was on a win streak at cruiserweight in 1994 when he decided to move up to move up to heavyweight. He failed. He was stopped by Corrie Sanders in only 49 seconds in his heavyweight debut and lasted less than three rounds against Brian Nielsen three months later. He never fought again after that. De Leon died at 60 this past January.
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Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk: 3 cruiserweights who succeeded at heavyweight … 3 who didn’t.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published before his unanimous-decision victory over Derek Chisora last October.
***
Oleksandr Usyk isn’t breaking new ground by transitioning from a successful career at cruiserweight to heavyweight. Many have done it. A few have succeeded, most haven’t.
The obvious disadvantage for a natural cruiserweight is the weight he gives away to big heavyweights. For example, Derek Chisora, Usyk’s opponent on Saturday in London, weighed in Friday 38.5 pounds heavier than Usyk (255.5 to 217).
That’s a significant difference, one that only a special fighter can overcome. And remember: Usyk’s goal is to fight Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury one day. We’ll see how that works out.
Usyk (17-0, 13 KOs) stopped Chazz Witherspoon in seven rounds in his heavyweight debut in October of last year. So far good. But Chisora (32-9, 23 KOs) is expected to be a better gauge of how effective Usyk can be against the biggest men in the sport.
Here are three cruiserweights-turned-heavyweights who succeeded in the higher division and three who didn’t.
EVANDER HOLYFIELD
Record: 44-10-2 (29 KOs)
Titles at cruiserweight: Three (one reign)
Titles at heavyweight: Eight (four reigns)
Notable victories at heavyweight: Buster Douglas, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Riddick Bowe, Ray Mercer, Mike Tyson (twice), Michael Moorer
Background: Holyfield is arguably the best cruiserweight ever and one of the greatest heavyweights. “The Real Deal” was at a size disadvantage in many of his heavyweight fights but was a four-time titleholder, beating a string of big-name opponents along the way. He won his first 10 fights at heavyweight, including a knockout of Buster Douglas in 1990 to become champion in Douglas’ first fight after his upset of Mike Tyson. Then Holyfield had his first encounter with a prime behemoth, Riddick Bowe. Holyfield and Bowe engaged in one of the great three-fight series but Bowe emerged victorious twice. Holyfield then picked on someone his own size. In one of boxing’s greatest upsets, he stopped Mike Tyson to regain a belt in 1996 and then lost a portion of his ear in the rematch. He had his ups and downs after that but was always competitive and delivered exciting fights. He almost won a title for a fifth time in 2008, when he was 46, but lost a majority decision to giant Nikolai Valuev. He fought three more times and retired.
DAVID HAYE
Overall record: 28-4 (26 KOs)
Titles at cruiserweight: One (one reign)
Titles at heavyweight: One (one reign)
Notable victories at heavyweight: Monte Barrett, Nikolai Valuev, John Ruiz, Derek Chisora
Background: Haye was the king of the cruiserweight division in the 2000s, becoming undisputed champion and losing only to Carl Thompson by a stunning fifth-round knockout in 2004. “Hayemaker” made his debut as a full-fledged heavyweight in November 2008, when he stopped Monte Barrett in five rounds. In his next fight, a year later, he defeated Valuev by a majority decision to win one of the four major titles. He successfully defended against John Ruiz and Audley Harrison but then reached a little too high in an attempt to unify titles. A prime Wladimir Klitschko made Haye look like an undersized journeyman in July 2011, winning a wide decision in a fight that wasn’t remotely competitive. Haye blamed a toe injury afterward, making things worse for him. Haye wasn’t a great heavyweight by any stretch but he was good enough to win a major title and make two successful defenses. That’s a success.
TOMASZ ADAMEK
Overall record: 53-6 (31 KOs)
Titles at cruiserweight: One (one reign)
Titles at heavyweight: None
Notable victories at heavyweight: Andrew Golota, Chris Arreola, Michael Grant, Eddie Chambers, Steve Cunningham
Background: Adamek had a remarkable career overall. The tough, well-schooled Pole won his first 31 fights and captured titles at both light heavyweight and cruiserweight before trying his hand against the biggest boys. He started his heavyweight career with a knockout of countryman Andrew Golota and reeled off five more victories to earn a shot at then-champion Vitali Klitschko in 2011. That’s where things started to go south. Adamek demonstrated the grit for which he was known but ultimately was overwhelmed by a much bigger, better man. Klitschko won every round and scored a 10th-round knockout. Adamek had mixed success after that – including a five-fight winning streak – but never again fought for a world title. He retired in 2018. Why is he filed under “successful” here? Because he beat some good opponents and earned his shot at a title. Adamek was a solid heavyweight.
***
JAMES TONEY
Overall record: 77-10-3 (47 KOs)
Titles at cruiserweight: One (one reign)
Titles at heavyweight: None
Notable victories at heavyweight: Evander Holyfield, Fres Oquendo
Background: Toney could’ve been classified as “successful” here if he hadn’t failed a drug test and a few other things had gone his way. “Lights Out” is generally considered one of the most-gifted boxers of his generation even though he had issues with discipline. He won titles at middleweight, super middleweight and cruiserweight. Toney had a so-so experience in heavyweight waters but emerged with one impressive victory, a ninth-round stoppage of 40-year-old Evander Holyfield in 2003. And, in 2005, he defeated John Ruiz by a unanimous decision to win a major heavyweight title. However, days later, he tested positive for a steroid, the fight was ruled no-contest and Ruiz was reinstated as champion. Toney had mixed results after that – including a one-fight return to cruiserweight in which he lost to Denis Lebedev in 2011 – and never again fought for a meaningful heavyweight belt. Toney will be remembered as a great fighter but that has little to do with his years as a heavyweight.
DWIGHT MUHAMMAD QAWI
Overall record: 41-11-1 (25 KOs)
Titles at cruiserweight: One (one reign)
Titles at heavyweight: None
Notable victories at heavyweight: None
Background: Qawi, whose whirling-dervish style was reminiscent of Joe Frazer, was a beast at light heavyweight and cruiserweight. He beat a string of quality opponents and most notably gave Holyfield absolute hell in a classic 1986 cruiserweight fight before losing a split decision, all of which earned him a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. At heavyweight? Things didn’t go so well for the 5-foot-7 banger from New Jersey. Qawi’s first serious foray into the sport’s heaviest division was against George Forman in 1988 and he was stopped in seven rounds. He went back to fighting smaller men after that, with moderate success, before retiring in 1992. However, he couldn’t stay away. He returned once more as a heavyweight at 44 years old, beat two journeyman, lost to one (Tony LaRosa) and then walked away for good. Qawi (originally Dwight Braxton) is remembered as a fine light heavyweight and cruiserweight who was just too small to make it at heavyweight.
CARLOS DE LEON
Overall record: 53-8-1 (33 KOs)
Titles at cruiserweight: Four (four reigns)
Titles at heavyweight: None
Notable victories at heavyweight: None
Background: People might forget how good De Leon was at cruiserweight in the 1980s, although he had his ups and downs. The Puerto Rican had four reigns as WBC cruiserweight champ, meaning he lost his belt three times – including once by knockout against Evander Holyfield — but he had the resilience and determination to regain it three times before losing it for good. He had victories over Marvin Camel (twice), Leon Spinks and Yaqui Lopez, and he drew with Johnny Nelson. He was on a win streak at cruiserweight in 1994 when he decided to move up to move up to heavyweight. He failed. He was stopped by Corrie Sanders in only 49 seconds in his heavyweight debut and lasted less than three rounds against Brian Nielsen three months later. He never fought again after that. De Leon died at 60 this past January.
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First-round stoppage losses resulted in matching suspensions for the two combat sports legends.
Triller Fight Club returned this past Saturday when boxing and MMA stars of the past collided inside the ring.
The main event featured former UFC champion [autotag]Vitor Belfort[/autotag] as he battled all-time boxing great [autotag]Evander Holyfield[/autotag]. The exhibition match was a quick one as Belfort stopped the 58-year-old Holyfield in 109 seconds.
Also on the card, former UFC champions [autotag]Anderson Silva[/autotag] and [autotag]Tito Ortiz[/autotag] squared off in a professional boxing match that was over in even less time than the main event. After he ducked and dodged some of Ortiz’s attempts, Silva knocked “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” out cold in 88 seconds.
On Wednesday, MMA Junkie acquired a list of medical suspensions from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the commissioning body that oversaw the event. Scroll below to see the suspensions (or lack thereof) handed out to the four fighters.
Check out this week’s episode of “Spinning Back Clique” covering the biggest topics in MMA.
Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.
This week, we cover the aftermath of [autotag]Evander Holyfield[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Vitor Belfort[/autotag] and [autotag]Anderson Silva[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Tito Ortiz[/autotag], as well as talk Dana White’s Contender Series’ apparently new approach and more.
Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Mike Bohn, Danny Segura and George Garcia debates and discusses these topics with host John Morgan:
“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Tuesday on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel.
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Evander Holyfield frustrated with stoppage vs. Vitor Belfort: “It was a bad call.”
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on MMAJunkie.com.
***
Evander Holyfield thought he deserved a longer leash in his main event bout with Vitor Belfort at Triller Fight Club.
Holyfield, a legendary former boxing champion, competed in his first bout since 2011 on Saturday at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. He was stopped by TKO late in the first round of the contest.
Belfort, a former UFC light heavyweight titleholder, came out of the gate quick as he’s made a career of doing. He landed an uppercut that stunned and dropped Holyfield. The 58-year-old made it back to his feet, but struggled to fully recover as Belfort continued to pressure with punches.
The referee saw Holyfield couldn’t fully get his bearings back in that moment, and Belfort wasn’t letting up, so he stepped in and waved it off while Holyfield was still on his feet. That rubbed Holyfield the wrong way. He thought he still had more to show, which he expressed during his post-fight interview with Todd Grisham and 50 Cent.
“I wasn’t hurt,” Holyfield said on the broadcast. “The thing is, there wasn’t no shot that hurt me really bad. He’s strong and he got that shot and I was off balance.”
Holyfield elaborated and downright slammed the referee’s work.
“I think it was a bad call,” Holyfield said. “I think the referee shouldn’t stop the fight that quick.”
For many observers, watching Holyfield step back into the ring was both a nostalgic and concerning moment. He turns 59 next month, and has had problems receiving licensure dating back nearly 17 years. The Florida State Athletic Commission approved him to step into the ring, though.
There was a legitimate fear something true bad could happen to Holyfield prior to stepping in the ring, and he confirmed afterward that he felt in good physical condition.
“No, I’m not hurt,” Holyfield said. “It’s kind of sad. It is what it is.”
Evander Holyfield frustrated with stoppage vs. Vitor Belfort: “It was a bad call.”
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on MMAJunkie.com.
***
Evander Holyfield thought he deserved a longer leash in his main event bout with Vitor Belfort at Triller Fight Club.
Holyfield, a legendary former boxing champion, competed in his first bout since 2011 on Saturday at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. He was stopped by TKO late in the first round of the contest.
Belfort, a former UFC light heavyweight titleholder, came out of the gate quick as he’s made a career of doing. He landed an uppercut that stunned and dropped Holyfield. The 58-year-old made it back to his feet, but struggled to fully recover as Belfort continued to pressure with punches.
The referee saw Holyfield couldn’t fully get his bearings back in that moment, and Belfort wasn’t letting up, so he stepped in and waved it off while Holyfield was still on his feet. That rubbed Holyfield the wrong way. He thought he still had more to show, which he expressed during his post-fight interview with Todd Grisham and 50 Cent.
“I wasn’t hurt,” Holyfield said on the broadcast. “The thing is, there wasn’t no shot that hurt me really bad. He’s strong and he got that shot and I was off balance.”
Holyfield elaborated and downright slammed the referee’s work.
“I think it was a bad call,” Holyfield said. “I think the referee shouldn’t stop the fight that quick.”
For many observers, watching Holyfield step back into the ring was both a nostalgic and concerning moment. He turns 59 next month, and has had problems receiving licensure dating back nearly 17 years. The Florida State Athletic Commission approved him to step into the ring, though.
There was a legitimate fear something true bad could happen to Holyfield prior to stepping in the ring, and he confirmed afterward that he felt in good physical condition.
“No, I’m not hurt,” Holyfield said. “It’s kind of sad. It is what it is.”
Donald Trump (mostly) stuck to sports during Triller boxing commentary stint.
Editor’s note: This column originally published at USA TODAY Sports.
***
Former President Donald Trump began his debut as a boxing commentator Saturday night just as you might have expected.
With a verbal jab.
Trump agreed to provide commentary during a four-fight card featuring Evander Holyfield, the former heavyweight champion who was making his return to the boxing ring at 58 years old. And at the outset of the pay-per-view livestream, the lead commentator noted it was the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and deferred to the former president.
Calling the anniversary of 9/11 “one of the most important days,’’ Trump added, “and we had a very bad week because of some very bad decisions that were made… We should have never allowed to happen what happened in Afghanistan with 13 great warriors and many injured and many people killed in these final few days and it was just a shame.’’
Later, while waiting for the results from the three judges after the first fight, Trump noted he has seen a lot of bad boxing decisions over the years.
“It’s like the elections,’’ he said. “It could be rigged.’’
(Editor’s Note: The Justice Department has found no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election.)
However, on a night when Holyfield got stopped before the end of the first round at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, perhaps the most surprising thing of all is this: Trump mostly stuck to boxing.
Having hosted memorable fights at his casinos, Trump exhibited an enthusiasm for the sport, a decent knowledge of boxing and stamina. Which is to say he continued to mix it up with his son Donald Trump Jr. and guest commentators during the pay-per-view event that stretched almost 3½ hours long.
What he seemed to enjoy most was the adoring crowd, which broke out into chants of “We want Trump! We want Trump!’’ He rose to his feet and with a broad smile shook his fist.
Former President Donald Trump salutes cheering fans as he prepares to provide commentary for the Triller Fight Club event in Hollywood, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
But for most of the night, he did his agreed-upon guest commentary duties, offering insights and opinions. Some of the most notable came after Holyfield lost by TKO in the first round when the referee waved off the fight.
“Right from the beginning you could see it, he was not the same fighter,’’ Trump said. “He lost a lot. That left jab was very slow.’’
Holyfield did not leave quietly.
“So Evander’s complaining a little about it stopping. I think you probably had to, right?’’ Trump asked.
The commentators agreed but noted it would be hard for a one-time champion to accept defeat.
As Holyfield left the makeshift area, Trump said, “That’s probably the last time you will be seeing the great legend of Evander Holyfield, right? Probably the last time, in this capacity. I hope so, I hope so.’’
Trump seemed to be most familiar with fighters of the past – such as Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Mike Tyson. He he also talked about more obscure fighters, like Iran Barkley and James Toney. Yet despite his reminiscing about old fighters, he was familiar with two relative newcomers: Jake Paul and Logan Paul, the YouTube celebrity brothers who have energized the boxing scene.
Toward the end of the night, Trump was sitting next to UFC star Jorge Masvidal, who has traded barbs with Jake Paul and said he’d like to fight both brothers. Said Trump: “So the Paul brothers, we have Jorge and he wants to fight you and I think it would be an incredible fight.’’
The first two fights were mostly dull, and at times Trump’s commentary was lackluster, too. But he spiced it up with opinions. Such as being in favor of championship fights going 15 rounds rather than 12 rounds.
“I think it’s really hurt boxing,’’ Trump said, bemoaning the lost “championship rounds,’’ previously the 13th, 14th and 15th rounds before the change in format.
The fights were shortened after Kim Duk-koo died following a championship fight against Ray Mancini in 1982. Duk-koo lost by TKO in the 14th round and died five days after the fight.
Other things you probably never heard at a Trump rally: He’s a big fan of British heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury and he thinks Larry Holmes had the best left-hand jab.
Junior Dos Santos, a former UFC heavyweight champion, joined the Trumps as a guest commentator and spent a good portion of the time chatting with Trump as the cameras rolled and the fights progressed.
“I’m impressed with how much the gentleman knows about boxing,’’ Dos Santos said.
“We’ve had a lot of fights,’’ Trump replied, apparently referring to those he has staged rather than those he has fought.
