Holyfield insists he's not old

John Phillips

If nothing else, Evander Holyfield wants to get one thing straight: "I ain't old."

Of course, when Holyfield cranks up his 38-year-old bones for another fight there inevitably is the question: why, with all his money, fame and age, is he still fighting?

The former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, who is getting ready to defend his World Boxing Association heavyweight title in a March 3 rematch with John Ruiz, is not offended by the question. In fact, he is motivated by it.

The scary part for many fans who have seen so many fighters hang on too long with horrible consequences is that Holyfield, who has fought major wars in the ring, blithely dismisses any thoughts of danger and plans to fight as long as it takes him to again become the undisputed champion.

"Age is just a number," Holyfield (37-4-1) said in a conference call on Thursday. "I don't worry because it's what I do. I do take care of my body. I still have skills. I still have the ability to hold my hands up, and I don't fight out of pride."

An important part of his confidence, although Holyfield was subdued about it on Thursday, has been his rock-solid belief that God is protecting him.

Asked if he fears ending up like Muhammad Ali or other fighters who stayed too long, Holyfield said: "I really don't get that far out of boxing shape. I don't do a lot of things that people do to their bodies.

"I stay close to weight and I have a goal and the goal is to be heavyweight champion of the world. I don't fight for any motive than to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world."

With that in mind, Holyfield said he doesn't really care if he fights Briton Lennox Lewis a third time. It only matters, Holyfield says, if Lewis is still the champion when Holyfield gets a shot at the title.

And if Lewis ducks him for a third fight, Holyfield said, "Lennox Lewis is not always gonna be heavyweight champion of the world." Somebody is gonna beat him, and I'll fight them."

Holyfield also issued a challenge to fighters, who say he is too old to be taken seriously.

"Well, beat me up. Beat up the old guy."

Holyfield could not resist taking a few pot shots at Lewis, considered by many people to actually be the undisputed champion with his two major titles -- those of the World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation.

Referring to Lewis' cautious approach to fighting, Holyfield said that champions have "to take chances to win. He don't take any chances."

And in a shot at Lewis' skillful if less-than crowd-pleasing victory in a unanimous decision over new Zealand's David Tua last November, Holyfield said, "at some point in time when you can hit a guy you should hit him. Let a man earn his reputation."

Holyfield added, "when you see people just dancing and want $15-20 million you're hurting the sport."

Although Holyfield insists he is far from old, he admits to thinking he was turning into a graybeard against Ruiz in their first fight in August which Holyfield won on a unanimous decision.

"I couldn't get off. This guy was hitting me with jabs. I really started (wondering) if I'm really old. I watched the fight and I was so embarrassed. I'd draw back to hit him and he'd already be on me."

But Holyfield went to the doctor and says he was told that he had problems with his ears that affected his balance against Ruiz.

In the rematch, for which Holyfield will receive about $2 million to Ruiz' estimated $1 million, Holyfield said I owe it to the people to give them a better performance."

It's probably with that in mind that Holyfield stepped out of character to predict he would knock out the 29-year-old Ruiz.

Then Holyfield said he would knock out all of his opponents this year, and said he is "in this game until I get what I want. I am gonna be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world sooner or later."