Midnight Mania! Holyfield’s Glacial Open Workout Horrifies Boxing Fans

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Evander Holyfield’s return to the ring this Saturday (Sept. 11, 2021) was not exactly planned. However, when Oscar De La Hoya was taken out by COVID-19, Vitor Belfort was left without a dance partner for his Triller boxing crossover. Holyfield jumped on the opportunity, and the Florida Athletic Commission didn’t have a problem with it.

Perhaps they should.

Today’s open workout release does not paint a flattering picture of where Holyfield currently stands. The former boxing champion does not look agile or powerful; rather, he looks something more akin to cannon fodder for an insanely jacked “Phenom.” There are countless comments expressing concern for “The Real Deal,” but watch below and form your own opinions:

This video was released at a similar time as Brendan Schaub’s story about Holyfield needing a handler seven years ago has been spreading around. The retired fighter did not at all sound optimistic about Holyfield’s return.

“I was at a charity function with Evander seven years ago, and he had to have a handler to steer him where to go cause he didn’t know where he was at, so I don’t know if he should be fighting,” Schaub said (via BJPenn). “But Evander, I have no idea how he’s going to look like (against Belfort). Now, when I saw him at that charity function, maybe he had some drinks, I don’t know, maybe he was just out of it. But a guy did have to whisper in his ear everybody’s name and show him where to go.”

Defending himself against such concerns, Holyfield himself explained, “The thing is, I have more experience in boxing. I would have a problem if I was gonna do the MMA ring, that ain’t what I do. I know that I do boxing and I took care of myself … With an MMA guy [Belfort], he do a couple things right, he know how to throw punches and deliver hard shots. But, I can do more. I bring more to the game.”

Now, that’s my transcription, but there’s some hesitancy and mumbled words in there, so perhaps it’s best if everyone check out the clip for themselves below:

Are you worried about Holyfield’s chances this weekend?

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