Evander Holyfield lost by a first-round TKO Saturday night in his return to the boxing ring at the age of 58.
Vitor Belfort, a 44-year-old retired UFC champion, staggered Holyfield early. Holyfield was so wobbled, he flew to the ropes when he missed with a wild left hand.
Though he managed to stay on his feet, things got progressively worse for the former heavyweight champion.
Belfort dropped Holyfield with a left-handed uppercut, and even though Holyfield reached his feet before the 10-count, the referee called off the fight with 10 seconds left in the round.
Holyfield said he thought the referee stopped the fight too quickly.
“I thought it was a bad call,’’ Holyfield said, who also remarked, "The thing is the guy (Belfort) pushed me. The guy’s strong. But I wasn’t hurt.’’
Holyfield was fighting for the first time since 2011, and when asked how he felt about the entire experience, he replied, "It’s kind of sad. It is what it is.’’
The bout was billed as the featured event of a four-fight card Saturday at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Former President Donald Trump provided commentary during the bouts and after Holyfield got stopped remarked, “You could see right from the beginning, he was not the same fighter. That left jab was very slow. He’s lost a lot.’’
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