By James Slater, East Side Boxing:



Whether we like it or not and whether fans will choose to tune in to watch it or not, there is an excellent chance 49-year-old Evander Holyfield will fight again for a “world” heavyweight title this year. It’s no secret “The Real Deal” has been seeking out a first crack at new “regular” WBA heavyweight champ Alexander Povetkin, and, according to a source who spoke with the website of RING Magazine, Holyfield Vs, Povetkin is “close” for December 17th in Switzerland.

According to the news piece, the fight would likely go ahead at Hallenstadion - the same venue where Holyfield, 44-10-2(29) made his last title challenge. Sauerland and Holyfield now have to put the final touches on a deal and the fight will be on.

It’s not clear what Povetkin will gain from such a fight. Some relatively easy money maybe, but what about the Russian star’s reputation? It’s likely a number of fans will lose respect for the talented 32-year-old if he goes ahead with a first defence against a fossil such as the 1984 Olympian. Holyfield, of course, still feels he can once again become undisputed heavyweight king, and he thinks a win over Povetkin will help him negotiate a fight with the Klitschkos (even though Wladimir has publicly said he will never fight Evander due to his having too much respect for him).

So to Switzerland Holyfield will more than likely travel just before Christmas. The last time the former four-time heavyweight ruler fought there (actually the only time) he did a lot better in a fight than most experts thought he would. Going in with giant Nikolai Valuev, Holyfield rolled back the years somewhat and appeared to many to have deserved the 12-round points verdict that went against him.

Will Evander, who has since won two and also boxed a No Contest, pull out one last impressive performance against the man who is 22-0(15) and seventeen years his junior? If he does, win or lose, Holyfield will almost certainly decide to put off that date with retirement we all want him to take.