Holyfield earns a big W in the big D!
 Ringside Report by Benny Henderson Jr - AKA "Big Dog" (Aug 20, 2006)
Friday night at the American Airline Center in Dallas, Texas over nine thousand diehard boxing fans as well as seven former world champions where in the house to lend a hand of support and to witness the comeback of the former four-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, 39-8-2 (26), who was taking on Jeremy Bates, 21-12-1 (18). Roberto Duran, Chris Byrd, Jesse James Leija, Troy Dorsey, Paulie Ayala, Curtis Coax and former Dallas Cowboy stand out Deion Sanders were there for the fistic festivities which were televised on Fox Sports Net Best Damn Sports Show Period.
After a two-year lay off the forty-three year old veteran was in high hopes of making history once again, this time to begin
his quest of becoming a five-time world heavyweight champion. Some would say Holyfield would be a bit delusional in his anticipation of another world title, but one thing for certain he is completely determined to give it a shot and the fans will come from all around to see the former world champ give it a go.
Holyfield had the look of an indomitable man, and as the forty-three year old made his way to the ring the very same crowd who heckled Bates filled the arena with cheers when the living legend’s name was announced. But as the bell sounded for Holyfield’s first fight in more than twenty-one months it wasn’t the overly supportive crowd who was facing a very game Bates but Holyfield, who was looking for his first win in four years.
As the bell sounded for the throw down both boxers commenced to jab one another with a pumped up Bates pressing forward, backing up Holyfield but he was met with nothing but leather, eating up three punch combinations. Whether it is from being now injury free or the lack of comparable skill level Holyfield looked more crisp than he has in his last three previous bouts landing all that he threw out there, nailing the Kentuckian on the ropes and exploding with a bombardment of bombs that nearly finished off Bates until the thirty-two year old was saved by the bell.
Round two began with a confident, more loose Holyfield dictating the action with his jab, dishing out pain to Bates until being caught with the best punch Bates had to offer for the night, a solid right hand sent Holyfield back. But the heavy-handed shot only prompted Holyfield to aggressively assault Bates even more, pinning him on the ropes landing a barrage of unanswered shots earning Holyfield his first W since 2002 when referee Rafael Ramos jumped in to halt the action at the 2:56 mark in the second round giving Holyfield the TKO win.
After the throw down Bates detailed his reaction when he seemingly stunned Holyfield with his right hand, “I thought to myself, oh my God I just caught Evander Holyfield.” But although he gave a wholehearted effort in attempting to beat the former world champion Bates suffered his third straight loss, his twelfth of his career.
At the post fight press conference Holyfield spoke on his much needed victory in saying that now being injury free he was able to do the things that he wasn’t able to do five years ago. Holyfield explained that fighting with confidence was his main goal, and this win gave him the mental strength to carry on. Although the bout was over in two rounds – and to be blunt, it was an all out destruction of an overmatched TV friendly fighter – Holyfield was pleased with the result, as reflected his trainer Ronnie Shields who stated that Holyfield did what he was told to do and stuck to the fight plan to engineer this victory.
Next up for Holyfield, who said he would like to stay busy in hopes of gaining a title shot in 2007, he wants to get back into action possibly in November, and although he and his team didn’t come out rightfully and say a name they hinted in fine detail who Holyfield’s next opponent could be with saying too much: an international contest against the number five rated heavyweight contender with the name of Sam, the WBC number five ranked fighter Sinan Samil Sam to be exact, with Holyfield’s team explaining that an announcement would be made within the week.
In the co main event the nineteen year old heavy handed Mexican KO artist Julio Cesar Garcia 38-2 (31) banged out his eleventh straight victory, earning his ninth knockout victory by beating out the thirty-four year old Alfonso Sanchez 20-5-1 (18) in a two round destruction.
Garcia who began his quest as a professional at the young age of fifteen was the crowd favorite taking center stage going head to head against Sanchez, both combatants went on the attack as the fight began throwing bombs at one another in a back and fourth first round. Round two began and the two continued their aggressive style but all thought entertaining to the fans it was a downfall for Sanchez who was met with a fierce three punch combination ending it with a strong right hand the sent Sanchez’s mouthpiece airborne.
Garcia went on the war path attacking Sanchez getting him on the ropes with nowhere to go dropping Sanchez prompting the referee Jesse Reyes to call it at 2:28 in the second round, a very unpopular decision for the crowd who filled the arena with boos. It was a good scrap while it lasted and the youngster seems to be moving on to bigger and better things on the near future.
The undercard provided a full night of action as well, with four fights that had the crowd on its feet the ring warriors went toe-to-toe giving the hot Texas night that extra sizzle.
Undercard results
Chad Aquino 8-0-1 (4) defeated Tomondre King 4-13-5 via second round TKO 2:38
Vanessa Juarez 3-0 (1) defeated Rocio Vasquez 6-1 (3) Via second round TKO 1:02
Carlos Madrid 7-2 (2) defeated Sergio Reyes 14-5 (4) via six round (UD)
Miguel Albares 3-2-1 (2) defeated Ira Gutierrez 0-2 via first round TKO 0:24
Jesse Lara 12-1-1 (9) defeated Scott Ball 7-2 (6) via fourth round KO
Brian Vera defeated 11-0 (8) defeated Ottu Holifield 5-3 via third round KO.
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