Holyfield vows to fight on

Holyfield fails to win despite troubling Ruiz

Evander Holyfield has vowed to carry on boxing despite missing out on the WBA heavyweight title when his fight against John Ruiz was adjudged a draw.

The 39-year-old said the setback would not stop him pursuing his dream of winning a fifth heavyweight crown.

He insisted that he should have won and that he still has enough in the tank to end his career as champion.

"I don't quit and I will not quit," he said.

"I can't get mad at the decision. I did all I could and deserved to win but now I just have to go back to the gym and work even harder.

"I'd be living in the ghetto if I didn't overcome.

"I'm going to fight again because I want to be heavyweight champion of the world."

Tempers spilled over at the post-fight press conference when Holyfield's attorney, Jim Thomas, announced his outrage at the 114-114 decision given by the three judges.

And he got into a war of words with Don King after the fight when he challenged the promoter to declare the result fraudulent.

"Don't make this personal. Don't involve me. I have always been there for Evander when you called me," King responded.

Ruiz was left in the shade by the controversy, despite retaining his title.

Neither his management team or King would commit to seeking a fight against the WBA's expected mandatory challenger Kirk Johnson.

But Ruiz may be eyeing the chance of unifying the heavyweight division by fighting for the WBC and IBF crowns held by Lennox Lewis.