Evander Holyfield will bid to become the oldest heavyweight champ after claiming he'd been offered the chance to fight Nikolai Valuev.
'Real Deal' bidding to become the oldest heavyweight champion
Evander Holyfield will attempt to become the oldest heavyweight champion after he claimed he had been offered the chance to fight WBA titlist Nikolai Valuev.
Holyfield, a four-time world champion, has said he has been handed a contract by Valuev's promoter Sauerland Event to face the giant Russian on December 20.
And despite turning 46 on October 19, Holyfield insists his age will not be an issue should the fight get the green light.
Holyfield, who would pass George Foreman in the record books as the oldest heavyweight champion should he win, told
ESPN.com: "They said I was too old when I was 34 and was getting ready to fight Mike Tyson for the first time.
"There's nothing new with what people say. I have a desire and I am the one who got to train and I am willing to make the sacrifices necessary to be the best.
"Just imagine a 46-year-old guy being heavyweight champ of the world."
Holyfield has not fought since he dropped a unanimous decision to Sultan Ibragimov for a version of the title in October 2007.
And although he hasn't got a trainer after parting company with Ronnie Shields following that defeat, he claims he is in perfect shape.
Massive
"I always keep myself in shape," he said. "I'm probably looking for another trainer. Ronnie left after Ibragimov.
"I haven't made arrangements yet on a trainer. I hadn't really thought of who would be the right person."
Holyfield will go into the fight with a massive height and weight disadvantage.
The Real Deal stands at 6ft 2in and weighs compared 215lbs, compared to the 7ft behemoth Valuev, who tips the scales at 320lbs.
Holyfield, though, claims that he will out-move and out-box his rival.
"Of course, he will be the biggest guy I have fought but it's something that could be very interesting," Holyfield said.
"I will have a big target. I have to do the things I believe he can't do. He can't move laterally. I got to get in quick, fight and don't stand still too long.
"I just have to be in tremendous shape to outmanoeuvre him."
