16 Dec 2008

Holyfield says he's in great shape for title fight

9:19 am on 16 December 2008

The former world heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield says he's in great shape and could well become the oldest ever heavyweight world champion when he takes on Russian giant Nikolai Valuev this weekend.

The 46-year-old American - a four-time world champion who lost his last world title in 2000 and has not fought since he lost to Sultan Ibragimov in Moscow last year - says he's intent on making history.

Holyfield - who owns a record of 42 wins and 27 KOs with nine defeats - four of which have come in the last six years - says that while Valuev may have a far superior height advantage and be several years younger, that he also has things going in his favour.... and he'll show what they are in his fight.

The clash will take place in Zurich's Hallenstadion where Muhammad Ali stopped German heavyweight Jurgen Blin in the seventh round of their meeting in 1971.