It’s beginning to look as if Evan Holyfield has more than a legendary last name. He’s got hands that move at a rate that land with power.
The speed-equals-power equation was evident in the young Holyfield’s third pro bout, a first-round knockout of Travis Nero on Saturday not far from the Daytona International Speedway in north Florida.
With his dad, former heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield, and brother, running back Elijah Holyfield, at ringside, Evan ran over the overmatched Nero, knocking him down three times within 90 seconds of the opening bell for a swift stoppage in a junior middleweight bout.
It’s still a little early to judge just how good he is. He has faced no real challenge from his opposition. He wasn’t expected to.
Nero, of Norman, Oklahoma, is 1-6. In his second fight, Holyfield scored a third-round stoppage of Henry Mendez, who was making his debut. He scored a first-round stoppage of Nick Winstead in his own debut on the Canelo Alvarez-Sergey Kovalev card on Nov. 2. Winstead is 0-2.
His three opponents have only one victory. Yet in each bout, Holyfield, nicknamed Yung Holy, displayed an aptitude for boxing and a prospect’s kind of hand speed.
“With speed comes power, well sometimes,’’ Evan said before his quick work on a card promoted by Christy Martin. “But in my case, it does.’’
It’s a good place to begin.