[an error occurred while processing this directive]
June 18, 1997
Holyfield has no axe to grind
By STEVE BUFFERY -- Toronto Sun
The Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield rematch is being touted as "The Sound and The Fury," although Holyfield has about as much fury in him as a tranquillized puppy.
At least outside the ring.
Holyfield, who last Nov. 9 became only the second man in history, after Muhammad Ali, to capture the heavyweight title three times, said yesterday that God, not greed, keeps him active in the brutal world of professional boxing.
"I'm just here for that," said Holyfield, via conference call from his training headquarters in Houston. "I have reached my goal, to be the heavyweight champion of the world. The Lord has allowed me to use this platform to preach the word of God."
On the other hand, Holyfield also wants to show the many non-believers out there that his 11-round victory over Tyson, the former undisputed champion, was no fluke.
Holyfield, an 8-1 underdog heading into the first contest at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, controlled the bout and knocked Iron Mike down in the sixth with an impressive and sometimes shocking display of boxing skill and ring savvy.
Holyfield said he expects Tyson, 45-2 with 39 KOs, to come across in an aggressive manner early once again when the rematch is held on June 28, again at the MGM Grand.
"That plays into my hands," said Holyfield, a soft-spoken Atlanta native. "I think it will make the fight end a lot quicker than (the first one) did."
Despite his advancing years and past medical problems, including a mysterious heart ailment, Holyfield, 34, has no plans to retire if he is successful in his WBA title defence against Tyson, 30.
"The chances are I would try to unify the titles and try to bring some order into (the heavyweight) division," Holyfield said.
Holyfield added that he would love the opportunity to box Anglo/Canadian heavyweight Lennox Lewis, who'll defend his WBC title against England's Henry Akinwande on July 12.
As for building up an artificial hate for Tyson, Holyfield, 33-3 with 24 KOs, isn't having any of it.
"This (fight) is about skill,"said Holyfield, who believes Tyson will bounce back and regain the title at some point in the future. "It's about the knowledge of the game and I feel that I have the knowledge of the game to do it again.
"I have the same amount of respect for (Tyson) that I had going into the last fight. I truly feel we're both the best fighters out there at this point in time."
