Four-time heavyweight champion Evander "The Real Deal" Holyfield, who required eight stitches to close a cut that resulted from an accidental, second-round head butt during last month's three-round, no-decision against Sherman "Tank" Williams, will have to postpone a scheduled March 5 bout against Brian Nielsen to May 7 in Nielsen's native Denmark, according to a statement issued by Nielsen's Sauerland Events.
The 48-year-old Holyfield (43-10-3, 28 knockouts) complained that he could not see as the result of blood dripping into the eye, causing referee Dave Johnson to stop the fight against Williams (34-11-3, 19 KOs) and to declare it a no-contest.
"I had hoped to be fully fit to fight Brian on March 5, but after another close examination this week, the doctor said I could not do sparring until the end of the month. My good physical shape and my meticulous preparation have always been my biggest advantages throughout my career," said Holyfield, in a statement issued by Nielsen's Sauerland Events.
"I will not enter the ring against a determined opponent like Nielsen when I am not 100 percent prepared. I take Nielsen very seriously," said Holyfield. "I need a convincing victory to put myself back in line for another shot at the world title, so I will give the cut enough time to heal before resuming practice. I will be in top shape on May 7 and defeat Brian Nielsen."
The 45-year-old Nielsen is 64-2 with 43 knockouts.
"Always look on the bright side of life. The more training I get, the stronger I will become. I would have been ready to give Evander a great fight on March 5. I have worked my butt off in practice where Karsten Rower has been torturing me twice a day," said Nielsen.
"Although I am not exactly thrilled to be in his German training hell for two more months, every single practice session will only make me better," said Nielsen. "I will make sure Evander gets a nice souvenir from his trip to Copenhagen. I will cut his other eye, too. He will be good friends with the doctor he has been seeing."
Eventually, Holyfield would like to get one of the three title holders of the major belts -- either of the Ukranian sibling champions, Vitali Klitschko (41-2, 38 KOs), of the WBC, or, Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49 KOs), of the WBO, IBF and IBO, or England's WBA king David Haye (25-1, 23 KOs) -- to oppose him in the ring.
Holyfied is trying to surpass George Foreman as the oldest fighter in the history of the sport to win a significant world title, following a then-45-year-old Foreman's knock out Michael Moorer in the 10th round on November 5, 1994, that made him the eldest man to win a heavyweight crown.
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