One-on-one with the champ
Posted: Wednesday July 15, 1998 02:14 PM
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Evander Holyfield is the WBA and IBF heavyweight champion and has a record of 35 wins, 3 losses and 25 knockouts (Allsport) |
CNN/SI senior correspondent Nick Charles sat down with heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield to discuss the fighter's future -- and his thoughts on the possible reinstatement of Mike Tyson.
Nick Charles: If you went to Don King and you said 'Let's make this Lennox Lewis fight,' would he?
Evander Holyfield: Well, its not just that easy to make the fight. You have to realize that it's negotiation. I think the fight will be made. I think just time itself, just people talking to one another, people putting things together, moreso than the media getting hold of it and saying 'This is what you have to do.' It's more than just saying, 'I want to fight.' In that case, Lennox and I would have fought last year.
NC: Evander, why would you beat Lennox?
EH: I got faster hands. I feel that, as far as being a technician, [I'm better]. I can beat him outside. I can beat him inside. Somehow, I just feel that he don't have a chance.
NC: Is the flame, the desire still bright?
EH: Well, I don't know if it's as bright as ever. But the goal is still there to be the undisputed champion -- and I will be.
NC: If you were commissioner of [the] Nevada [Athletic Commission], would you give Mike Tyson his license back?
EH: I would, because the penalty they gave him ... He was actually fined the $3 million. Of course, you don't get that back. And they said, 'Well, you can't fight for a year.' Having done that, those are the two things they asked him to do and he did it.
NC: So you made peace with him. No problems?
EH: Not at all.
NC: How much longer [will you keep fighting]?
EH: Well, until I become the undisputed champion.
NC: You just want to keep us guessing.
EH: I don't wanna keep you guessin'. I just wanna take it one step at a time.
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