Holyfield On His Son Evan: ‘He has To Live Up To His’ Own Legacy

Who would have thought there would be two Holyfield’s boxing in 2020?

Evander (44-10-2, 1NC) announced his intentions to return to the ring for the first time since 2011. A Hall of Famer, “The Real Deal” is a multi-time heavyweight champion. He also one of the most recognized names in the sport of boxing. He is hoping his son Evan will have his success but in his own way.

“Evan does not have to live up to my legacy, he has to live up to his. That’s what I tell him. He can be better than me, but is he willing to pay the price?” Evander stated to Boxing Scene. “Evan is a very knowledgeable kid. He had choices to do a lot of things. I told him, ‘boxing is not for everybody.’ He told me, ‘dad, I love it.’ Boxing is a tough thing to love, and you have to put the time into it. You need a lot of confidence to step into the ring.”

Making his professional debut in 2019, Evan (4-0) won all four of his fights. His last bout was a unanimous decision with over Dylan Carlson in March. With three wins via knockout, “Yung Holy” is slowly making himself known. He has been appearing on DAZN TV and is even training with a legend in Christy Martin.

Evander will be fighting for #Unite4OurFight, an organization that helps overcome challenges and adversity for children and first responders. It is a huge part of The Evander Holyfield Foundation. He had stated in the past he is interested in a third Mike Tyson bout, which wouldn’t be a blood feud situation.

Turning professional in 1984, Evander has beaten the likes of Buster Douglas, George Foreman, Mike Tyson, Larry Holmes, Ray Mercer, and Riddick Bowe. With 29 wins via knockout, the 57-year-old Evander has a lot to teach Evan. He won’t do anything to hold him back, just move him forward. He believes he can give Evan the experience he never was able to get at a young age.

“I know the game of boxing,” Evander went on to say. “A trainer is like almost being a father. You owe it to them with time. I can walk in there and say, you need to do this, this and this, because I’ve done it my whole life. I didn’t have anything else growing up. I didn’t have a dad who was the heavyweight champion of the world. I did not have a mom with a lot of money. I had to really focus. I gave my all to boxing, because that was the only thing I could do without any help.”

Both will be looking to work with one another in this new step in both of their careers. If a fight card was made for Evander’s return, perhaps Evan will be on it, to share the moment while also making his own statement.