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Promoter Confirms Holyfield's Fight in China
A Chinese promoter dismissed the report Thursday that World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield has no plan to fight in Beijing, saying that a deal will be signed in early December to make sure the bout.
Niu Lixin, director of Great Wall International Sports Media Co. Ltd director, said that he, along with a senior official of the Chinese Boxing Association, "has reached a memoire with Don King", Holyfield's promoter in Los Angeles, planning to stage the title fight early in 2001 in Beijing.
But Holyfield's manager Jim Thomas reportedly said that nothing is planned for a bout in Asia.
"There is no deal and there is not anything close to a deal," Thomas was quoted as saying on Wednesday.
But Niu said King, not Thomas, has the final say in whether the three-time heavyweight champion will make his debut in China.
"It is King who is in charge of arrangement for Holyfield's bouts. We were told that without his consent, the fight could not go on," Niu said. "That is why we had talks with him."
"I knew Thomas had denied the bout, maybe he wanted a much bigger offer, for the bout has grabbed lots of spotlight," Niu added.
Niu's remarks was underlined by Thomas's suggestion.
"If it would further Evander's agenda and the money was right, he would love to fight in Beijing," the manager was quoted as saying.
Niu believed that King will leave no stones unturned to make the bout go on as planned.
"King has great admiration for China, a country with long history. He said if the fight can be staged in China, it will be the most significant achievement in his 30-year career in promoting boxing,"said Niu.
"King said that he was not very much concerned about whether they will be in red or black after the bout. His biggest wish is to make friends with the Chinese and to promote the professional sport in China," Niu said.
He said that in the days to come, both sides will try to thrash out some details such as the time and those pugilists who will be on the undercard.
"If everything goes well, the earliest date we can sign a deal is before December 2," said Niu.
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