LiveWorld Transcripts

Showtime presents

Evander Holyfield
Former Heavyweight Champion

July 22, 2000

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Stovebolt: Were you ever into other sports besides boxing?

Evander: Yes I was all around athlete. I played football, basketball, and baseball. I was on the swim team, the soccer team and I ran track.

Kal Kan: How has your boxing style changed through the years?

Evander: I'm a lot more patient than I used to be. I'm a smarter fighter. Pretty much, that's it. And I don't bounce as much as I used to.

Outsider2000-2: Evander are you still an active member of your church, and when do you plan on retiring?

Evander: Yes, I am an active member of my church. I plan on retiring after I accomplish being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

Waslugger: Will you continue to fight into your 40s - the way George Foreman has?

Evander: Well, I'm not planning on it. I hopefully won't have to fight into my 40s. I'm planning on accomplishing what I want accomplish in the next 2 years.

Boxing Fan: Can you tell us a little about the Holyfield Foundation and what its purpose is?

Evander: The purpose of the Holyfield Foundation is to give the young unfortunate kids an opportunity to enhance the youth and steer them in the proper direction that they need to go - Spiritually, mentally and physically.

Theone: Have you ever thought of getting in to bodybuilding, maybe after boxing?

Evander: No, not at all.

Lombard: What was all that about heart trouble for you some years back?

Evander: After the Michael Moore fight back in 1994, I was diagnosed with having a heart condition, I prayed. I know that God healed me. I went back in 1995 and they said I was healed. The problem was gone.

Joseph M: Mr. Holyfield, first of all you are the greatest champion ever. You fought everyone you had to and still received no recognition from the media. Can you give an estimate about when you plan on sending Ruiz to the canvas? You were robbed twice against Lewis, how do you feel about both decisions?

Evander: Well I don't feel too good about the decision. I felt the first decision they felt that it was a draw, but the second decision I did feel I won the fight. Now you have to put things behind me and push towards the goal.

Mobius: What's your target weight for the Ruiz fight?

Evander: I should weigh 220.

Boxing Guys: What do you think are the strong points of John Ruiz boxing tactics? And, have you been working on ways to combat these?

Evander: Well he's a young fighter, very aggressive and he throws a lot of punches. I have to have a defense for that. I throw a lot of punches and have a lot of experience. There shouldn't be a problem.

Judy The Operator: Have you spoken to Mike Tyson since your last fight?

Evander: Yes, we have spoken.

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