Evander Holyfield says he wants all title belts

(From Detroit Free Press)
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Five-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield will be fighting to end hunger when he headlines a pay-per-view boxing card in Detroit in November.

Holyfield was in town Thursday to promote his Nov. 5 fight at Joe Louis Arena. Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 knockouts) will face 37-year-old Sherman (The Tank) Williams in a 12-round bout for Holyfield's World Boxing Federation heavyweight title.

Holyfield won the belt with an eighth-round knockout of Francois Botha in Las Vegas in April.

"Everything I became in life, somebody told me I wouldn't," Holyfield said. "Even now at 47 -- I'll be 48 Oct. 19 -- people say I'm too old ... but one of the most important things, I've taken care of myself.

"I'm willing to prove that. If you don't believe me, show up at the ring on the 5th and see another guy go down. ... I will win this fight, and I will be undisputed heavyweight champion. I'm not trying to get one belt. I'm trying to get them all, and then everyone will know there ain't but one champion, and that's me."

A victory over Williams helps set the stage for a fight next year against one of the Klitschko brothers, who are heavyweight champions. Vitali Klitschko is the WBC champion, and Wladimir Klitschko holds the IBF, WBO, IBO titles.

"The best practice is being in the ring," Holyfield said. "I'm honored to get this opportunity to do it for a good cause. We were supposed to fight in Vegas, but we found out the better fit is here in Detroit and happy to be part of it."

Holyfield, who will be the grand marshal for Sunday's NASCAR race in Brooklyn, has teamed up with Forgotten Harvest to raise awareness of people that go hungry every day. Forgotten Harvest collects surplus prepared and perishable food and delivers it for free to 158 emergency food providers in metro Detroit.

Holyfield will donate funds for five meals to Forgotten Harvest for every ticket sold for the Nov. 5, and also will donate money from pay-per-view sales. Local Walgreens stores will begin selling wrist bands that will provide 10 meals to Forgotten Harvest per purchase.

Thomas Hearns showed up to support Holyfield's announcement Thursday. Holyfield, who will train at MotorCity Casino for two weeks leading up to the fight, is hoping other local celebrities join his cause to help feed the hungry.