Holyfield vs Belfort LIVE: Result and reaction as Donald Trump commentates on bizarre fights
Relive all the action from a strange night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Relive all the action from a bizarre night of boxing as Evander Holyfield returned to the ring at 58 years old in a heavyweight exhibition bout against former UFC champion Vitor Belfort.
‘The Real Deal’, one of boxing’s all-time greats, retired a decade ago but was lured back through the ropes as a late replacement for Oscar De La Hoya. Many had questioned if the fight should be allowed to go ahead, with the California State Athletic Commission refusing to sanction the bout, however, a late change of venue to Florida meant it proceeded regardless of those concerns. Adding further to the strange spectacle, Donald Trump provided commentary on the broadcast.
Belfort, who amassed a 26-14 record in a decorated MMA career, had promised to savour the occasion. “Minute by minute, second by second. Just focus on what I control, that’s all I do. Be able to enjoy every moment,” he said ahead of the bout. “Boxing is a passion of mine for a long time and I’ve been applying it in a different field. Now I’ll be able to enjoy it against one of the greatest in the world so I couldn’t ask for a better opponent.” Relive all the action live below:
Vences racking up the rounds
There’s still little in the way of decisive action, but Vences is likely doing enough to rack up the rounds, using his superior reach and connecting to Carroll’s midriff.
Fighters still feeling each other out in fourth
Trump’s bizarre commentary is sadly capturing more attention than the two fighters in the ring. The action has been a little muted, with the pair still feeling one another out in the fourth round and refusing to take any serious risks.
Vences using reach advantage
We’re two rounds into this fight but Vences just seems to be edging Carroll. The American has a five-inch reach advantage and seems slightly sharper.
Trump leans towards Carroll
Donald Trump is back in position at ringside and says he admires Carroll’s outspoken confidence. The fighters are in the ring and the first bell will ring imminently.
Carroll faces Vences in legitimate contest
Next up, there is a legitimate contest to savour as Ireland’s former world title challenger, Jono Carroll, takes on Andy Vences in a super featherweight eliminator. Both fighters have two losses on their records and there may be no way back for the loser tonight.
Undercard results
Earlier on in the night, Anthony Chavez and Diuhl Olguin fought to a majority draw while Eliezer Silva won his pro debut, dropping Terry Roscoe in the third round of a four-round unanimous decision victory.
Trump at ringside
Donald Trump and his son are providing commentary from ringside in Florida.
Haye calls out Fury
David Haye proceeds to call out Tyson Fury without any hint of humour, which is as laughable as it is ludicrous.
“There’s one man I’ll come back to professional boxing to fight... Tyson Fury,” says Haye, who twice pulled out of fights against the WBC champion. “I know his kryptonite. The old man’s coming for the big dosser.”
Haye wins on the scorecards
All three judges score the bout in Haye’s favour: 79-72, 80-71, 79-72.
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