Holyfield v Rahman II...

(From Democrat and Chronicle)
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Holyfield-Rahman fight proposed

Preliminary discussions are under way for a farewell fight between former WBC heavyweight champions Evander Holyfield and Hasim "Rock" Rahman next spring at Blue Cross Arena at the Community War Memorial.

"These are high-profile boxers nearing the end of their careers," said Steve Nelson, the Rochester-based manager of Rahman. "We contacted Holyfield's connections and they're interested in the fight. It would be a tribute event and a classy way to go out. I believe Rochester would be an ideal site. Rock (Rahman) is 5-0 here and feels at home in Rochester. He has a sincere affection for this community."

The New York State Athletic Commission in August 2005 banned Holyfield from fighting in the state due to "diminishing skills." Nelson doesn't think that would be an obstacle: "Evander has proved himself in many fights (since the ban), including heavyweight title fights."

Holyfield, the only boxer to win the heavyweight title four times, has a career record of 42-10-2, but is only 4-5 in his past nine fights. In his past two fights, he lost a controversial majority decision to WBA champion Nikolai Valuev on Dec. 20, 2008, and lost a unanimous decision to Sultan Ibragimov in October 2007, for the WBO title. Holyfield turns 47 on Oct. 19.

Rahman, who turns 37 on Nov. 7, is 36-7-2. His last fight was a seventh-round knockout loss to Wladimir Klitschko for the IBF, IBO and WBO titles, Dec. 13, 2008.

He trained for the fight in Rochester.

"Rock was being treated for bone chips in his elbow at Strong (Memorial Hospital), but we weren't going to back out of the fight," said Nelson. "At Rock's age, you don't get many $1 million paydays. The elbow bothered him in the fight."

Holyfield won a technical decision over Rahman, June 1, 2002. The fight was stopped by the ring doctor in the eighth round after accidental head butts produced a baseball-sized lump over Rahman's left eye.

Nelson believes Rahman-Holyfield would draw well in Rochester.

"Former WBC champions don't fight against each other very often. For historical significance alone, it would be a big deal. It would draw lots of attention.

"And it could be a real good fight."