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13:54 GMT, Tuesday, 18 November 2008

Holyfield wants heavyweight crown

Evander Holyfield

Evander Holyfield says he will be fighting for glory and not money when he returns to the ring on 20 December.

Holyfield faces Russia's WBA champion Nikolai Valuev in Zurich, Switzerland aiming to become the oldest heavyweight title-holder in history.

And the 46-year-old claims he wants to go on and become the undisputed king of the heavyweight division.

"My goal is to be undisputed champion and not just to win the one title," said Holyfield.

"I think people make too much about age. I haven't fought in a year but I will be ready."

"I have taken care of myself and if I couldn't fight then I wouldn't fight"
Evander Holyfield

Holyfield has not fought since losing an unanimous decision to then-WBO champion Sultan Ibragimov a year ago.

He had his license to box in the state of New York revoked three years ago and had to undergo five hours of tests in Germany to prove he was healthy enough to fight.

"I have taken care of myself and if I couldn't fight then I wouldn't fight," said Holyfield.

Fellow American George Foreman was 45 when he knocked out Michael Moorer in 1994 to win the IBF and WBA crowns.

Holyfield will be a massive underdog against Valuev, who is more than 100 pounds heavier and stands a towering 7ft tall.

606: DEBATE
"I am the only one that thinks this is a disgrace"
MamaDidntLoveMe

He has been plagued by financial problems in recent years but his manager Ken Sanders says the American, who has been crowned world champion on four occasions, is not fighting because he needs the money.

"If it was not a championship fight we would not have taken it," Sanders said.

Since 2001, he has won only five of 11 fights. He currently holds a 49-9-2 career record.

Valuev, 35, who has a record of 49 wins, one defeat and 34 knockouts, currently holds the WBA belt while the Klitschko brothers currently hold four other versions of the heavyweight title.

Vitali Klitschko, 37, has the WBC belt, while his 32-year-old brother Wladimir holds the IBF, WBO and IBO versions.



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Related to this story:

Veteran Holyfield gets title shot (09 Oct 08 |  Boxing )
Valuev beats Ruiz to take crown (30 Aug 08 |  Boxing )
Chagaev points win stuns Valuev (14 Apr 07 |  Boxing )
Holyfield aims for one more title (08 Mar 08 |  Boxing )
Holyfield eyes Tyson bout in July (06 Mar 08 |  Boxing )
Tyson-Holyfield rematch slammed (28 Feb 08 |  Boxing )
Tyson v Holyfield III? (28 Feb 08 |  Boxing )
Holyfield to go on despite defeat (13 Oct 07 |  Boxing )

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