Brad Cooney's Let's Talk Boxing

Round 4

THE REAL DEAL

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH FORMER FOUR-TIME WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION EVANDER “THE REAL DEAL” HOLYFIELD

What can one say about having an opportunity to speak with a Boxing Future Hall of Famer? A boxing legend, a four-time World Champion, an Olympic Bronze medal winner? Incredible! Right before this interview, my hands were sweating, and I was, to say the least, reeeeeallly nervous. I had Mrs. Tavisa Thomas on the line (Evander’s assistant). She said, “Mr. Cooney, Evander will be with you in just a moment.”  I was nervous, I tell you. Evander gets on the phone and says, “Hello.” I was like, “Evander... Mr. Holyfield?” He says, “Yes.”  At this point, I am about to fall over. But, you know what? Within 30 seconds, Evander made me feel like I knew him for 10 years or something. I mean, you talk about a kind man, and a warm man, and an approachable, engaging man – this was one of the easiest interviews I have ever done, because of how engaging the champ was.

Here is my interview with boxing’s legendary Evander Holyfield. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did conducting it... ENJOY!

April 12, 2004

At eight years of age, a young kid out of Warrens Boys club in Atlanta, Georgia was preparing for what is now one of the greatest boxing careers in history. The late Carter Morgan (coach) spoke to this kid, and told him that he could one day become the Heavyweight Champion of the World.

The encouragement provided by Carter Morgan was all that Evander needed to go on and win the Boys Club Boxing Tournament. At the age of 11, Evander qualified to enter the Junior Olympics. At the age of 16, and weighing 139 pounds, this young man became the Southeastern Regional Champion, and was awarded “The Best Boxing” Award. At the age of 19, he represented the United States in the Pan Am games in Caracas, Venezuela, winning a silver medal. The following year, he became a national Golden Gloves winner, and then represented the United States in the Olympic Games by winning the Bronze medal. His professional career will go down as one of the best in history.

On November 9, 1996 Evander Holyfield joined the great Muhammad Ali and made history by becoming only the second person to become the three-time World Champion. Evander Holyfield is one of the classiest guys in the sport of boxing today. His career will go down as one of the greatest of all time. I had the wonderful opportunity to talk to the former four-time World Champion, and this is what he had to say...