Webster’s Dictionary defines delusion as a persistent, false or psychotic belief regarding the self or pers
ons or objects outside the self that is maintained despite indisputable evidence to the contrary. I know that is a mouthful, but I think it clearly explains the phenomenon that is Evander "Real Deal" Holyfield (42-9-2, 27 KOs). At some point, he has to take a look in the mirror and see a former undisputed champion, not a future one (which he likes to proclaim as a goal).
No matter how unimpressive I think seven-foot tall WBA heavyweight titlist Nikolay Valuev (49-1, 34 KOs) is, Holyfield does not deserve to be in the ring with him based on his recent performances. And I use the word performance loosely. It’s hard for me to say these things about Holyfield – he’s been one of my favorite fighters dating back to when he got robbed of the gold medal at the ’84 Summer Olympics.
But now, he’s simply robbing fans like me of my memories of him. Although Holyfield may have "passed" all of the necessary physical exams in order to continue fighting, he’s failed the most important test of all. If he were hooked up to a polygraph and asked if he should still be fighting, he would surely fail. And expect him to fail this Saturday night in Zurich, Switzerland.
Nikolay Valuev by unanimous decision or late stoppage over the delusional Evander Holyfield.
