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Holyfield, 46, Loses Close Bout for Title

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 20, 2008 9:32 PM CST

(Newser) – Evander Holyfield lost his bid—barely—to become the world's oldest heavyweight champ tonight, SkySports reports. Holyfield, 46, lost a close decision to 7-foot Russian Nikolai Valuev in Switzerland for the WBA title. One judge scored it a draw, and the other two gave Valuev the win by scores of 116-112 and 115-114. 

"I saw it the other way from the judges, but I'm not disappointed by my performance," said Holyfield, a four-time champ who served notice that he has no intention of retiring. "My goal is to be heavyweight champion of the world. I am not interested in fighting for the sake of fighting. I want to be a champion again and that hasn't changed."

Russian WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev celebrates after winning his WBA heavyweight boxing world championships fight against Evander Holyfield.
Russian WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev celebrates after winning his WBA heavyweight boxing world championships fight against Evander Holyfield.   (AP Photo/Keystone, Walter Bieri)
Evander Holyfield from the U.S. reacts after loosing against Nikolai Valuev from Russia.
Evander Holyfield from the U.S. reacts after loosing against Nikolai Valuev from Russia.   (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Nikolai Valuev and Evander Holyfield go at it during their fight in Switzerland.
Nikolai Valuev and Evander Holyfield go at it during their fight in Switzerland.   (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Nikolai Valuev from Russia, left, takes a left from Evander Holyfield.
Nikolai Valuev from Russia, left, takes a left from Evander Holyfield.   (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Evander Holyfield from the U.S. reacts after loosing against Nikolai Valuev from Russia.
Evander Holyfield from the U.S. reacts after loosing against Nikolai Valuev from Russia.   (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Nikolai Valuev from Russia, center, celebrates after winning against Evander Holyfield.
Nikolai Valuev from Russia, center, celebrates after winning against Evander Holyfield.   (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Shannonals
Dec 27, 2008 2:15 AM CST
The man needs to hang-up his robes and find another way to pay the child support for all the children he's spawned over the years. It's funny, I remember the comment he made over a decade ago about boxers fighting past their prime.
Guest
Dec 20, 2008 9:11 PM CST
Holyfield was robbed. This fight was determined before they got in the ring. No one wants to see Evander Holyfield win and continue to fight. This fight he was the aggressor and took the fight to the clumsy giant. Valuev will never fight anyone that is a top heavyweight and is simply holding a belt he doesn't deserve.

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