Evander Holyfield’s son Evan undaunted by dad’s legacy as he turns pro… and wants shot at Canelo Alvarez
EVANDER HOLYFIELD has fathered 11 children which must mean he is the Real Deal in the bedroom as well as the ring.
Bible-quoting, devout Christian Holyfield has six sons and five daughters with six different women.
And the former undisputed cruiserweight king and four-time world heavyweight champion must have guessed the odds favoured at least one of his boys wanting to follow in his fighting footsteps.
Trying to emulate a legendary father is always an extremely onerous task for any child.
But 21-year-old Evan Holyfield is undaunted by his father’s legacy. In fact, he believes it is his birthright to eclipse his old man.
Evan announced he was turning pro after 80 amateur contests and said: “My dad tells me every generation gets better.
“It’s easy to believe. Number one it’s in the Bible and the Bible don’t tell lies.”
'THE WHOLE PACKAGE'
Young Holyfield is a 6ft 1in super-welterweight described as a box-puncher with lightning fast speed and hard-hitting power.
Several top US promoters were after him but, unsurprisingly, he signed for Main Events, who guided Evander to fame and fortune.
They have been responsible for the success of a host of elite boxers including Pernell Whitaker, Lennox Lewis, Meldrick Taylor, Arturo Gatti and more recently Sergei "Krusher" Kovalev.
Kathy Duva, Main events CEO said proudly: “From the moment I was introduced to Evan I was struck by his maturity, his athleticism and his passion to succeed.
“I'm thrilled and honoured h had entrusted us with his career.
“It's our goal to make the system work for him as he climbs to the top of the ratings on his way to a world title.”
Evan will be trained and managed by Maurice ‘Termite’ Watkins, a hard-hitting world title contender from the 1970's in Houston - 800 miles from his Dad's home in Atlanta.
Watkins who got his nickname because his family ran a pest control business said: “Evan is very coachable and hungry to create his own name.
“He is the whole package. He can box, he can punch, is very elusive in the ring and has incredible timing.”
Evan who started boxing when he was 11 is so full of confidence he's even talking about challenging Mexico's super-hero Canelo Alvarez in a couple of years.
The precocious kid said: “I have been doing this for more than ten years and it's not really a job if you really enjoy it.
“Life is always better when you have a dream you can strive and work towards every day. I'm eager to get started and excited to begin this next chapter.”
Holyfield is expected to make his debut next month and we can only hope his dream doesn't end in a nightmare.
Inevitably as soon as he throws his first punch critics and fans will make instant comparisons between father and son.
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It's certainly a rarity when a son wins a world title like his father - Leon Spinks’ offspring Cory being one.
Most have ended in miserable failure. A classic example is Joe Frazier's lad Marvis who is far more suited to his life as a preacher than he was trying to win the world heavyweight title.
Evander who has given Evan his blessing had better start praying for him. He may need divine help as he carries the illustrious Holyfield name through the ropes.