Boxing Experts Blog - Boxing

How many people called to get their $25 back? I'm sure it crossed everyone's mind who purchased the WBA heavyweight title pay-per-view fight between champ Nikolai Valuev and challenger Evander Holyfield. You think you feel bad? How do you think Holyfield feels after losing a fight (majority decision 114-114, 116-112, 115-114) where his opponent didn't land 100 punches? As phony as the fragmented heavyweight belt system is, Holyfield was still looking to accomplish something pretty impressive for a 46-year old. The loss has huge financial ramifications as well for Holyfield, who is $10-12 million in debt. He was getting $750,000 for this fight, but with a win a multimillion dollar payday was up next.

If you watched Holyfield in the ring as he awaited the decision it was almost as if he knew that he was going to get screwed. The first score announced by Michael Buffer was Guillermo Perez's 114-114 draw. The look on Holyfield's face was priceless. He knew he was screwed: 

"I can't be disappointed with the things I did in the ring. I felt like I did the things necessary to win. The judges score the fight and whatever they score it, that's what it was."

Valuev was really selling the fight afterward, complimenting Holyfield and saying it was a great fight:

"He made me work very hard for the win," said Valuev, the overwhelming favorite and underwhelming winner. "Holyfield was unbelievable with his speed. The fight was fought at a great tempo for the whole 12 rounds."

Holyfield was noncommittal on his future:

"I'm gonna have to go home and think and see what's next on the drawing board."

Unless he gets a rematch against Valuev, Holyfield will probably never get a shot at a heavyweight title again. That said, this is boxing. Never say never. Maybe Holyfield can become the first heavyweight champ in his 50s.

Photo via Getty Images

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29 Comments

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  1. PHU2
    1. Posted by PHU2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:10 pm EDT

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    Boxing is a joke . It needs a enama ! I can remember fights on ABC,NBC. The Durans,Alis,Hearns ,Sugar Rays,Formans .The great fighters and fights.
    Its nothing more than a sham .Now that ODH has is hands in rankings all his golden boys will get rankings for fights.
    Its a shame I use to love boxing.
    To many crooked refs,judges promoters.
    I see the same thing happening with the MMA ,they should remember the past so they dont repeat it.
  2. julyfirehorse
    2. Posted by julyfirehorse Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    Martin Rogers is a sellout.....Dont let his media power convince you.....He supporting the crooked demiurgos....
  3. RealSports
    3. Posted by RealSports Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:53 pm EDT

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    Martin Rodgers had the score of 116-112 for Valuev and says it's from Yahoo Sports. Yet, Cofield had it going to Holyfield and claims it's from Yahoo Sports. Martin Rodgers is just a writer who writes to get a paycheck. His words are meaningless.
  4. RealSports
    4. Posted by RealSports Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:53 pm EDT

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    Martin Rogers spent seven years as a soccer writer for the London Daily Mirror! How is a man who covered SOCCER land a job writing for BOXING? Yahoo, please wake up!
  5. julyfirehorse
    5. Posted by julyfirehorse Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    If were the boss....I would say to Martin Rodgers...(yelling at the top of my lungs)....Pack up your $hit and get the F#@K out of here !!!
  6. Parrot
    6. Posted by Parrot Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:57 pm EDT

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    Holyfield is a cheat anyway, he should have saved his money the fool!
  7. Da Truth
    7. Posted by Da Truth Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:14 pm EDT

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    Being a diehard Holyfied fan, I must 1st start by saying that the decision, attrocious as it was may just save his life. Holyfielf has nothing to be ashamed of but my personal feeling is that it is time for him to hang it up and focus his attention on making money elsewhere for the sake of his health. his money problems withstanding. He has stated that his money is not liquid. As for Parrots comments, "Holyfield is a cheat". I guess you never got over Tyson getting whipped. Twice. Holyfield should go down as 1 og the best in history. If you look at his body of work hHe never ducked anyone. And he manned up to every challenge presented to him. He sent people into retiremente: Alex Stewart who was 22-0 with 22 K.O.'s. Bert Cooper was never the same, Dwight Muhamed Quawi never the same, Mike Tyson never the same, Riddick Bowe never the same. Micheal Spinks ran to the heavyweight division to aviod Holyfield. Mike Tyson ducked him for years. The 2nd fight with Lennox Lewis was a draw for Lewis at best. This is just reflectively speaking but Holyfield against either of the Klitkco Bros. in his prime would have shown them to be either men or mice. What I'm trying to articulate to you Parrot is that Holufield was a warrior to the end and that should say alot given the sorry state of the Heavywieght Division. You should appreciate greatness when you see it.
  8. Charlie
    8. Posted by Charlie Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:22 pm EDT

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    I'm with NoB! Boxing is done. First, The "Golden Boy" QUITTING? WHAT!!! Now, a 46 year old man owning the fight, yet losing. Boxing is searching for the next "Great One". But time is running out. For those of us that remember the TRUE sport of boxing it is the 15th round and we are about to get our ass kicked by the WNBA! or, God Forbid, Socccer!
  9. K NEL
    9. Posted by K NEL Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:55 pm EDT

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    Boxing is far from done. Maybe you should actually watch the fights we've all seen this year. So what if Oscar quit..If he didn't quit he was going to get KO'd or further damage as he could do nothing with Pacquiao. Holyfield could have won the fight and he should have. I feel that if he put in my work in the later rounds we wouldn't be having this discussion of him being robbed. Boxing is looking for the next "great one." Look at who we have today and these guys are good. Look at the matches we've seen this year. There are many boxers in several weight classes that keep boxing alive. You have Pacquiao, Margarito, Cotto, Pavlik, Paul Williams, JM Marquez, Israel Vasquez, Kessler, Taylor, Chad Dawson, Klitschko bros, I mean I could go on. Only reason people say boxing is dying is b/c half of you don't even watch the sport and follow like a true fan. You look for names to recognize. If it was Mayweather fighting 2 or 3 months then we'd be saying boxing is alive it will never die only b/c you recognize the name. Get real people Da Truth seems like the only person with common sense here.
  10. julyfirehorse
    10. Posted by julyfirehorse Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    K NEL,
    That precisely the problem with boxing.....Looking for the next "Great One"......And yes, your right, that their are alot of boxers out there that are good......and they are NOT getting the attention that some of these sorry pieces of $hit are getting.....The "media" most of all....is sickening to me....The Outrageous BULL$IT the media tries to sell to a bunch of Stupid sheep.....I've been following boxing for a very, very long time K NEL......and it looks like you have too...along with Da Truth...
    I am sure that their are some others that have some COMMON SENSE.....whatever that is....who can voice their opinion, regardless of their validity and enter into a debate or arguement for the matter, whichever is feasable, to AT LEAST, speak out whatever it is that is on their minds so as to process the information that WE receive from the media.......And believe me.....there is alot of BULL$HIT floating around out there......I suppose the "entertainment venue" is right where it's at with Boxing.....Holyfield vs. Valeuv....I suppose Wrestling has it with Stone Cold Steve Austin and the Undertaker.....and now Mixed Martial Arts with Kimbo Slice and Ken Shamrock ???....I suppose Ken Shamrock was injured...then maybe he wasn't, because Ken finally woke up and realized that all this is BULL$HIT.....He knew it was a sellout.....and he would be selling himself out as well......
    I'm saying that looking for the next "Great One" is NOT the solution....It only continues to be part of the problem....A so-called "Great One" only happens on it's own accord and is a RARITY....Looking for a "Great One" only continues to feed consistantly into the dissatisfaction of the "People" by the "Media".....
    The underlying basis for the search of the next "Great One" falls within the "Redeemer Conplex" and the murky pathology of "Victim-Perpetrator" collusion due to the false "pedestalization" of the next so-called "Great One".....and you wonder why people are fed up ??? I dont blame some of these poor souls for finally waking up and realizing that they are being hoodwinked by the MEDIA and the POWERS that be within the CORRUPT SYSTEMS ( the Demiurgos)....of ORGANIZED BOXING....The time has come realize that it is possible that "some" of these stupid sheep will wake up "on their own accord" and "in due process" as time unfolds into the unknown....It is possible.....
  11. Nutcracker
    11. Posted by Nutcracker Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:22 pm EDT

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    Let "holy" keep on fighting. he will be a prime candidate under obama's new commitment to stem cell research. lets see if they can regenerate some of the billions of lost brain cells "holy" has lost fighting long after he should of retired..
  12. K NEL
    12. Posted by K NEL Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:55 pm EDT

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    Kevcarme that was my point. However, maybe I shouldn't have said boxing is looking for the next "great one" it's more like the casual fan is. You're definitely right about the media. They play a huge part in a lot of boxing these days. At the same time you won't find nearly that many reports/writers around at the events. I just believe most of boxings problems are directly on the fighters. If fighters fought the highest level of competition available then we wouldn't have to worry about corruption or even some people looking for a "great one." If we'd woke up we'd see we have several great ones. For example Bernard Hopkins is the FIRST man EVER to hold the WBO, IBF, WBC, and WBA all at once. Jermain Taylor was the second. Winky Wright was the first ever undisputed Super Welterweight champion. We've seen and have greats now if we'd realize it.
  13. julyfirehorse
    13. Posted by julyfirehorse Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    K NEL
    The thing about yahoo sports blog is that it forces you to carefully think out what you write down before you write it and post it...other discussion panels have the luxery of editing everything they want to say...here it's like whoooopss.....Oh $hit.....I said it.....No take backs....and ya live with it......and yeah, Winky Wright was robbed of the Middleweight Championship...why...Because he is not as "Pretty" as Jermain Taylor.....What the judges seen in that fight was Jermain's image and NOT the craftiness of Ronald "Winky" Wright....It's an illusion show....Images are powerful...aaand...This is what the Media likes...and this is what the Media sells.....So this is just "a small part" of the Bull$hit you "see" floating around out there...It's not about conviction or method...It's about "Perception" and the arts of selling....Selling what ???....Take a good look for your self......
    Remember the Andre Agassi commercial with Canon (cameras) ?? He said....Image is Everything...and you know...He's right !! As far as when it comes to selling....He's right...America has been bought and sold like crazy....That is probably one of the most powerful sales pitches I have ever heard....Not only did America buy into it....The whole world was exposed to this "SPORTS" commercial.......Image is Everything.....And we have not recovered.......
    Valeuv might not be an attractive commodity to the Boxing world....But you have a sure bet with him in the "Entertainment Venue"......Just "Look" at this guy......His big ole Cranium looks like something you would dig up from a garden...Heh..Heh...Ya know...like a Big F#@Kin Russett Potato....All knotted and $hit......and you know something.....This $hit sells......Valuev is here to entertain us (aside from his so-called boxing skills) He's got the looks....LOL...LOL...LOL... If this is what Boxing needs.....Then so be it.....I suppose people were getting tired of having Evander Holyfield around....So, the best way to (try) and get rid of him is to rob him.....and guess what....It might have worked.....Then again....How about a rematch ??? BRING IT ON !!!
  14. K NEL
    14. Posted by K NEL Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:55 pm EDT

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    I dont know man..I really don't think Winky got robbed. Then again I didn't mention their fight at all. Valuev is not interesting at all. At first he was b/c he was undefeated until Chaguev took the belt. He can't fight and is extremely boring. I could name atleast 5 heavyweights who would defeat him and they aren't too good themselves. Image is everything in all sports like you said though. Boxing isn't in need however..maybe the heavyweight division but boxing as a whole..no..I'm sure we'll see a rematch which Holyfield will win or Valuev will get off those sleeping bills and knock out Evander
  15. julyfirehorse
    15. Posted by julyfirehorse Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    K Nel....It's not a matter of you "not" mentioning Winky's fight.....You mentioned Winky's name......So, I thought I would take the liberty of mentioning one of Winky's fights.... Why ?... Because I felt like it......
    Like I said earlier about editless blogging.....No take backs.....If someone mentions a fighters name....I will probably have a few things to say referring to one his fights.....Why ?....Because I feel like it.....
    You can too.....If I mention a fighters name and you want to say something about one of his fights....You are at liberty to do so if you feel like it......
    I dont FEEL so confined......
    By the way....You said in your last post : Then again I didn't mention their fight at all (and BEFORE that you said)...I really dont think Winky got robbed........What's with the contradiction ???....When I see inconsistencies...however subtle it may be...I ask questions...
    You are also at liberty to ask questions to whoever you want whenever you want.....I say....Get out there and ask some questions......Take a F#@KIN chance !!! Getchur YA YA's out man !
  16. K NEL
    16. Posted by K NEL Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:55 pm EDT

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    Kevcarme..I never said anybody shouldn't say whatever the hell it is they want. All I said was I don't know where that came from. Second I didn't contradict myself what so ever. I clearly stated "I don't think Winky got robbed." Then my next statement was "Then again I didn't mention their fight at all" which was pertaining to my previous post and then the response you made to that post. I mean if I had a questions I'd ask it. Seems like you've had a bad experience or something b/c you posted a bunch about your "feelings"...
  17. julyfirehorse
    17. Posted by julyfirehorse Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    K Nel.....Da problem with you is the you think toooooo much ....Dont think.....FEEEEEEEEL.....It's like a finger pointing away to the moon........"Don't concentrate on the finger or you will miss all that heavenly glory"........Like I said...I don't FEEEEEEEL so confined.......
    Yes it does SEEEEM like I've had a bad experience just recently with you.......We are ALL Wounded Healers dude......It's funny you "bring up" my having had some bad experiences....Sure.. I've have a had....A lot of us has had some bad experiences....It doesn't make any of us "special"..... I do NOT let so-called bad experiences prevent me from trying honestly expressing myself....However....I am becoming more aware of what the "Redeemer Complex" is when aspects ofthe victim/perpetrator kick in.....This is evident when I see people like you posting....thinking you have ALL the answers using "mere opinion".....I dont recall you asking any questions at all ?? It SEEMS to me that you are beating on a drum in search of a fugitve....and your waiting to get one-up on someone.....Just look at your recent posts.....Whats up with that ??? You are inflexible......
    The problem with you K Nel.....is your pride....Your are afraid of "yourself"......
  18. julyfirehorse
    18. Posted by julyfirehorse Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    D Nel,
    Like I said...You need to get your Ya Yas out..... Loosen up.....Ask questions ?? Take F#@Kin chance.....and stop trying to be a "Knowitall".....and learn how to open up your mind with inquiry.....
    K Nel.....I want YOU to remember this.......To take it a step further....It is the FEAR and IGNORANCE of "Bad Experiences" that go continue to go "UNCHECKED" that is to worry about......
    Once again.....gasp....(Yawning)....."I dont "FEEL" so confined".....
    Open up to inquiry.....zzz....zzz...zzz...
  19. julyfirehorse
    19. Posted by julyfirehorse Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    Whoops ! Switch Intro from D Nel to K Nel on #19......
  20. julyfirehorse
    20. Posted by julyfirehorse Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    Happy Holidays to you all and to you as well.... K Nel.....!!!!.....
  21. julyfirehorse
    21. Posted by julyfirehorse Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    Ok....Mr. K Nel.....I'll admit that I was being kinda harsh onya with my recent posts...The so-called Holiday "madness" got the better of me.....and it was "I" that was beating on a drum in search of a fugitive....I was wrong for attempting to lambast you on my recent posts...If anybody's head needs to be examined...."It's mine"....
    ......and it is to "you" that I apologize...Mr. K Nel
  22. timbuck 2
    22. Posted by timbuck 2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:41 pm EDT

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    Boxing at any level has been turned into a circus. How can anyone could believe that it is a legitimate sport? It seems that sports in general are going down the toilet because the main goal is $$$ and hype, nothing more.
  23. lobo
    23. Posted by lobo Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:32 pm EDT

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    Thats why boxing is the past and mma is the future. Boxing is boring, too one-dimensioanl. MMA is on the rise and hopefully theyll learn from the boxing industries mistakes so they wont repeat them and take over the combat industry once and for all. Yeah im not a boxing fan and prefer mma, and i know because of that shouldnt be posting my comments on a boxing blog, but because some of you boxing fans cant stay out of our mma blogs and leave your ignorant comments on our blogs then i will do the same here to your pathetic boxing blogs.
    GO UFC!!!
  24. lobo
    24. Posted by lobo Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:32 pm EDT

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    And i was talking mostly to you nutcracker clown, only one post on this boxing blog and like 10 on our mma blog .
    Stay out of mma these are the blogs you should be commenting on the BOXING ones where only like 10 people post, just more evidence that boxing is dying haha sorry for you nutsucker
  25. julyfirehorse
    25. Posted by julyfirehorse Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    Hey lobo...I agree on many levels coming from the involvement of a evolutionary stand point of view.... However.....It is possible to respect tradition without being bound by it....I see the skills of boxing as an integral part of Mixed Martial Arts...And you have to appreciate how much Boxing has contributed to the Mixed Martial Arts....This also includes the many other arts, systems and disciplines of combat....The best style is "No Style"...and there are some people in some parts of the country/world that are hung up on...be it a style, discipline, art or religion for that matter....Their minds remain closed....and think their way is the Only Way....And yes, Boxing is guilty of it....But, you must remember...Wrestling is also guilty of it...along with many other systems.....Bruce Lee said: Systems are what divide man...So as with religion....
    Boxing is at the $hitty end of their stick due to the history of multiple corrupt sanctioning bodies and promoters...and you wonder why there are so many FALSE piss poor quality so-called alphabet soup Champions per weight class in Boxing.....Kinda wants to make you puke in your soup......
    Does any one remember when there was only one champion per weight class in boxing ??? That was Boxing at it's best.....
    For now.....The Mixed Martial Arts should count their blessings while they can....That is until the uncontrollable amount of sanctioning bodies within Corporate Rule begins to kick in.....Or should I say...The Corporate Rules of sanctioning bodies kicks in.....We do not want a whole bunch of False piss poor quality so-called alphabet soup champions per weight class in Mixed Martial Arts now DO WE ???.!.!.!...
    I wish for Boxing to restore it's dignity and at the same time...I wish for the Ultimate Fighting Championship's utmost of success...I think it's possible that Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts can learn alot from each other at all levels...DO YOU ???.!.!.!...

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