Ex-world heavyweight champ Holyfield to fight 64yo Nigerian former MP

Retired former world heavyweight boxing champion Evander ‘The Real Deal’ Holyfield, 55, will lace up the gloves once again against the ex-Governor of Lagos State Bola Tinubu in an exhibition bout in Nigeria.

The fight is being billed as ‘Rhumbles in Lagos’ and will take place on May 25 as part of a charity event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the creation of Lagos State.

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“Significantly, it is aimed at bringing world attention to some health-related issues in Africa, and will focus on cases such as autism in children, breast cancer, mental illness, and HIV/AIDS and river blindness,” said project manager Foluke Michael, the Daily Post reported.

Foluke said it will also especially focus on the plight of Africans living with disabilities among others.

The event will donate five 40ft containers of medical and relief materials worth over $2 million to the Lagos State Government and other neighboring states.

Holyfield let his followers on Twitter know of the event in a typically reserved manner.

“’The Champ’ comes home bearing Gifts; Medical Supplies & Talent Discovery,” he posted. 

Tinubu, however, indulged in some good old-fashioned trash talk.

“I can’t wait to knock Evander down. I’m the real champion of the world!’’ the sexagenarian, who is also the former national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said.  

The charity fight between the two will be promoted by ACI Entertainment and Bishop Entertainment Consult based in Atlanta, Georgia – Holyfield’s hometown.

It is not the first time Holyfield has fought a political foe in the ring. In May 2015, he he took on former Massachusetts Governor and two-time presidential candidate Mitt Romney in Salt Lake City, Utah, to benefit the medical charity CharityVision.

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During a 57-fight career that began in 1984 and ended in 2011, Holyfield racked up a record of 44 wins, 10 defeats, two draws and one no contest, with 29 wins coming by way of knockout.

He won the undisputed cruiserweight championship before moving up a weight class to win the undisputed heavyweight title from James ‘Buster’ Douglas in 1990.

Holyfield’s greatest night in the ring came when he stopped the iconic ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson in the 11th round of their first meeting for the WBA world heavyweight title in 1996.

However, he will forever be remembered for their rematch the following year when Tyson was disqualified for biting chunks from both of Holyfield’s ears.  

The bout in May will be refereed by multiple award-winning Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka.