ALinChainz
11-16-2004, 11:14 PM
By Steve Keating
HOUSTON (Reuters) - Former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield was placed on indefinite medical suspension by the New York State Athletic Commission Tuesday and could be forced into retirement if he fails a fitness test.
The 42-year-old Holyfield lost a unanimous 12-round decision to unheralded Larry Donald Saturday.
"I'm not looking to end his career if it's not warranted, but the health and safety of the boxer is the main concern of the state commission," NYSAC chairman Ron Stevens told the New York Daily Mail.
"To my practiced mind, Holyfield shouldn't be fighting any more. It's the responsibility of the state athletic commission to save a boxer from himself.
"Evander Holyfield has absorbed enough punishment throughout his great career. It's time the bleeding stopped."
The ruling means that Holyfield must undergo an examination by the commission's doctor before he can be cleared to box again in the United States.
All other state commissions honor New York suspensions.
One of the best fighters of his generation, the highlights of Holyfield's battles in the ring over the last 20 years were his epic contests with Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis.
His career has been in sharp decline though, winning just one of his last six bouts.
Holyfield has repeatedly dismissed pleas for him to retire saying he remains determined to become the undisputed heavyweight champion one more time.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=577&e=3&u=/nm/20041116/sp_nm/boxing_holyfield_dc
HOUSTON (Reuters) - Former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield was placed on indefinite medical suspension by the New York State Athletic Commission Tuesday and could be forced into retirement if he fails a fitness test.
The 42-year-old Holyfield lost a unanimous 12-round decision to unheralded Larry Donald Saturday.
"I'm not looking to end his career if it's not warranted, but the health and safety of the boxer is the main concern of the state commission," NYSAC chairman Ron Stevens told the New York Daily Mail.
"To my practiced mind, Holyfield shouldn't be fighting any more. It's the responsibility of the state athletic commission to save a boxer from himself.
"Evander Holyfield has absorbed enough punishment throughout his great career. It's time the bleeding stopped."
The ruling means that Holyfield must undergo an examination by the commission's doctor before he can be cleared to box again in the United States.
All other state commissions honor New York suspensions.
One of the best fighters of his generation, the highlights of Holyfield's battles in the ring over the last 20 years were his epic contests with Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis.
His career has been in sharp decline though, winning just one of his last six bouts.
Holyfield has repeatedly dismissed pleas for him to retire saying he remains determined to become the undisputed heavyweight champion one more time.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=577&e=3&u=/nm/20041116/sp_nm/boxing_holyfield_dc