You only get older for others, you feel like you always do. That’s what Evander Holyfield must be like. Most young people are familiar with Holyfield from the fact that Mike Tyson bit off a piece of his ear in a 1997 fight. But for those who set the alarm clock in the early 1990s to see his fights against Riddick Bowe and George Foreman, the name is still electrifying, one of the greats.
The multiple ex-world champion Evander Holyfield is 58 years old, his face may only be 56, his body a maximum of 36 years. Before stepping back in the ring on Saturday in Hollywood, Florida for a fight night hosted by a new streaming service to promote the brand, he was in great shape, as always. You know that when you follow Holyfield on Instagram. He has successfully fought his decline, but can he beat time?
So you fight your way through the various registrations that you have to fill out in order to be able to see the online service. Wasn’t it nice when there were only three TV channels? Of course not, it was more boring. You stream with full awareness that you are falling for a marketing ploy. Maybe a mistake. Because also the legendary, but alive mummified ring announcer Michael Buffer was booked for this fight evening, and: Donald Trump as co-commentator. Suddenly it’s like a class reunion where you wonder how old everyone has got – before self-awareness kicks in and you get shocked.
Spanked: Evander Holyfield (right) didn’t cut a good figure in the ring against Vitor Belfort.
(Photo: Rebecca Blackwell / dpa)
It’s hard to remember today that Trump was once just a wealthy entertainer, chatting at the boxing ring, a woman by his side who wore “big hair” – that’s what they called it back when Evander Holyfield was young. At the beginning the ex-president talks about Afghanistan, they want to switch off, but then the fighting starts, and Trump has anecdotes to tell from old times, from fighters like Iran Barkley and James “Lights Out” Toney. Donald Trump also has more of a past behind him than a future – and he knows more about boxing than about politics. Before the main fight there are “We want Donald Trump” chants, it is not entirely clear whether as president or as commentator, but it would be comforting if he would stick with the latter. Nobody likes an old entertainer who wants to get their hands on the nuclear bomb launch codes.
Holyfield’s opponent: an MMA fighter named Vitor Belfort, 44 years old, shorter and not equipped with the boxing skills Holyfield brings. It then only takes a few seconds to regret the evening, for Holyfield, and also for the boxing-interested spectator. Because the ex-champion still looks the same as before, but he blows air holes, he stumbles, he goes to the ground. The referee stops the fight before the end of the first round. There are no winners: Vitor Belfort spanked an old man, Holyfield lost against time. And as a witness, you feel a little ashamed of having watched.