Holyfield Says We'll See Old Holyfield On Saturday

At the last press conference before their Saturday tussle, Evander Holyfield and Frans Botha offered final thoughts on the scrap.

Evander Holyfield: “I’m happy to have the opportunity to fight in Las Vegas again. Everything that’s happened to me has been here – in 1984 I had to win Saturday and Sunday to make the Olympic team. In 1990, 1993, 1996 and 2000 I won the heavyweight title here. Las Vegas has been the place that’s given me the opportunity to be the person I am. I’m thankful for Botha giving me an opportunity to fight for a title again. My goal has simply been to be undisputed heavyweight champion. I’m a person – I think my attitude is good when people tell me I can’t do something — I’m driven by what people say I can’t do to prove I can. I’m not disappointed by decisions. I felt I beat Valuev. I won’t quit seeking to do my best and Saturday night you’ll see me give my all. If not enough, I’ll make adjustments.

“To be perfect is to reach my goal. I thought I did it in 1999 against Lennox (Lewis). Here, in 2010, and it’s going to be a great fight. I’m telling you, Saturday night, I’ll look better than I used to be.” 

Frans Botha: “I’m defending my title against one of the greatest legends of all-time. This will make my resume perfect. I’ve fought some of the best and Evander is one of the best. Saturday night, I’m prepared for this. Evander had talent and experience. I’m getting in there knowing it’s going to be a tough fight. ‘The White Buffalo’ is roaming the prairie. I’m going to end your career, make you retire. The Buffalo is charging.

“I’m very grateful to be here. Me and Evander would have fought 10 years ago. I was No. 1 and he was champion. It didn’t work out. You’re a legend. You’ve fought some of the greatest, but I have to stop that. Saturday night you’re going to see a helluva fight.”

Henry Namauu: “I’m going to take advantage of what has been given to me. I’m not much for words; I just show up to fight.”

Rayford Johnson: “I’m guaranteeing Saturday night that I’ll win. My losses are losses, but I’m coming to fight and win.”

Arthur Williams: “I’m honored to be on a card with Evander Holyfield and Frans Botha. It’s a big card. I’m excited and ready to fight. My last fight I had a tragedy in my family. No excuse, I thought the referee stopped the fight prematurely, and I was winning. I’m ready to get it on. When all the smoke and dust clear, I’ll be standing.”

FACT SHEET

WORLD BOXING FEDERATION HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

MAIN EVENT – 12 ROUNDS – PPV

EVANDER “The Real Deal” HOLYFIELD                     FRANS “The White Buffalo” BOTHA

4-Time World Heavyweight Champion                      World Boxing Federation Champion

Atlanta, GA                                                        Newport Beach, CA by way of South Africa

42-10-2 (27 KOs)                                                47-4-3 (28 KOs)

CO-FEATURE

10 ROUNDS – CRUISERWEIGHTS

HENRY NAMAUU                                                            RAYFORD JOHNSON

2006 National Collegiate Cruiserweight Champion       Dangerous Opponent

Las Vegas, NV                                                    Austin, TX

5-3 (3 KOs)                                                       5-4 (3 KOs)

6 ROUNDS – CRUISERWEIGHTS

“King” ARTHUR WILLIAMS                                           VALENTE TINAJERO

Former IBF Cruiserweight Champion                         Unbeaten Prospect  

Pensacola, FL                                                     Roy, UT

46-16-1 (30 KOs)                                                8-0 (4 KOs)

4 ROUNDS – FEATHERWEIGHTS

ROCCO SANTOMAURO                                                  KARL HAMMER

Las Vegas, NV                                                    Clearfield, UT                             

3-0 (0 KOs)                                                       1-2 (0 KOs)                                         

4 ROUNDS – FEMALE SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS

CRYSTAL HOY                                                                JENNIFER HAN

Las Vegas, NV                                                    Tucson, AZ

3-1-2 (2 KOs)                                                     0-1-1

4 ROUNDS – LIGHTWEIGHTS

JOEL FLORES                                                                  TBA

Detroit, MI                                                         

3-0 (3 KOs)                                                        

4 ROUNDS – WELTERWEIGHTS

LAWRENCE HUGHES                                                     JUAN ALCOLEA

St. Louis, MO                                                      Las Vegas, NV

3-0 (3 KOs)                                                        2-1 (0 KOs)

4 ROUNDS — LIGHTWEIGHTS

JESUS GUTIEREZ                                                           JONATHAN GARCIA

Las Vegas, NV                                                    Watsonville, CA

1-0 (1 KO)                                                         1-0 (1 KO)

4 ROUNDS – SUPER BANTAMWEIGHTS

ALEXIS SANTIAGO                                                        BRICE YENIKI

Phoenix, AZ                                                        Las Vegas, NV

2-0-1 (1 KO)                                                      0-4

(All Fights and Fighters subject to change)

WHAT:     “The Legend Returns” PPV

WHEN:    Saturday, April 10, 2010 – 9 PM/ET 6 PM/PT

WHERE:  Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

PROMOTER:  Crown Boxing

PAY-PER-VIEW INFORMATION: Distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN, Viewer’s Choice and Bell TV, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

PAY-PER-VIEW ANNOUNCERS:  Al Bernstein (color) and Trip Mitchell (blow-by-blow)

INFORMATION: Doors open at 4 PM/PT, first bout 4:30 PM/PT, and first PPV bout 6:00 PM/PT (9:00 PM/ET) — www.crown-boxing-inc.com  or www.worldboxingfederation.net 

Check out this Holyfield/Botha promo video:
http://www.youtube.com/user/IntegratedSportsPPV?feature=mhw5#p/a/u/0/ihI89Q9hVcI