ZURICH, Switzerland (December 18, 2008) – Four-time world heavyweight Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield’s vast experience edge is key for a potential upset Saturday night against WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai “The Russian Giant” Valuev on pay-per-view live from Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland.
During the course of his certain Hall of Fame career for the past 24 years, Holyfield (49-9-2, 27 KOs) has defeated a remarkable 16 world champions, 11 heavyweights and five cruiserweights. Valuev (49-1, 34 KOs), fighting only two less pro fights than Holyfield, has beaten only one world champion, John Ruiz (twice by controversial 12-round decisions), who Evander was 1-1-1 against in three championship matches.
Valuev-Holyfield is promoted by Wilfried Sauerland’s Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Don King Productions. The broadcast is being distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN and DISH Network for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. A same night replay will be available at 9:00 PM/ET – 6:00 PM/PT. Award-winning announcers Nick Charles and Al Bernstein will call all of the action.
In addition to Ruiz, Holyfield has defeated former heavyweight world champions Mike Tyson (twice), Riddick Bowe, Larry Holmes, George Foreman, “Buster” Douglas, Michael Moorer, Hasim Rahman, Ray Mercer, Michael Dokes and Pinklon Thomas; cruiserweight titlists Bobby Czyz, Carlos De Leon, Dwight Muhammad Qawi (twice), Ossie Ocasio and Ricky Parkey.
“Boxing is not about size or age,” Holyfield said. “It is about what you do inside the ring. I know what to do inside the ring. I have been boxing for 38 years, so I know how to make correct assessments. My experience will be the key. I am very experienced and I know what to do against Valuev. He certainly is the biggest champion I have ever fought, but his head is right where I need it to be to hit it. I’m in great shape and will put on a performance that will surprise many people. I’m
really looking forward to Saturday night.”
Holyfield trainer Tommy Brooks added, “It is nothing new for Evander to fight big names. He has been in the ring with Lennox Lewis, George Foreman, Riddick Bowe. Of course, I will not give away our tactics but, believe me, we have prepared for this fight.”
Also on PPV is an 8-round super middleweight bout between Danish southpaw Mads “Golden Boy” Larsen (50-2, 37 KOs), former IBO title-holder, and 5-time world kickboxing and Thai boxing champion, Roberto Cocco (9-2, 5 KOs), from Italy.
Highlights from some other fights on the card, time permitting, may be shown including a 12-round co-feature matching two undefeated heavyweights, German-based, Italian-born southpaw Francesco Pianeta (17-0, 11 KOs) defending his European heavyweight title against French challenger Johann Duhaupas (17-0, 10 KOs); former New York Knicks dancer Eileen “The Hawaiian Mongoose” Olszewski (5-2-1, 0 KOs) defending her WIBA flyweight title against undefeated German favorite Nadia Raoul (9-0, 3 KOs); heavyweight Oleg Platov (26-1, 22 KOs) versus Jason Gavern (15-4-3, 8 KOs), cruiserweights Jimmy Kapanov (8-0, 5 KOs) and Paolo Ferrara (25-13-1, 7 KOs); heavyweight Timor Ibragimov (24-2-1, 13 KOs) vs. TBA.
For more information about Saturday’s Valuev-Holyfield PPV go to www.integratedsportsnet.com.
