Holyfield Wants It All Wba Heavyweight Champion Intends To Unify Title, Says He Wishes Tyson Well

Evander Holyfield wishes Mike Tyson the best. Really. Michael Moorer, meanwhile, said he wasn’t aware the former champion was involved in an accident the other day.

Holyfield, the WBA heavyweight champion, and Moorer, the IBF titleholder, appeared at Universal Studios on Friday to discuss their Nov. 8 bout at The Mirage Resort in Las Vegas.

Not surprisingly, Tyson was a subject of discussion.

“I just wish that he recovers,” Holyfield said when asked about Tyson’s motorcycle accident Wednesday night in Connecticut. “I wish him the best.”

Moorer said essentially the same thing after first denying any knowledge of the accident.

Holyfield said boxing shouldn’t be criticized over Tyson’s actions on June 28 in Las Vegas, when he retained his championship following Tyson’s disqualification for biting his ears.

“Things do happen,” Holyfield said. “One bad apple doesn’t spoil the whole bunch. Boxing is a good game.”

Holyfield said he still hasn’t spoken to Tyson since the incident.

“It’s not important to do so,” he said. “If it happens, fine.”

About a reconciliation meeting the two were reportedly going to have, Holyfield said, “It didn’t happen.”

“I still have a lot of respect for him as a boxer, the things he has accomplished,” Holyfield said. “We all fall short. There’s no reason to hold anything against him. It’s not like I’ve been perfect all my life.”

Holyfield made it clear he didn’t include Tyson on his list of potential future opponents.

“The fight with Mike Tyson is behind me,” he said. “I beat Mike twice. My goal in boxing now is to be the undisputed champion again.”

Holyfield, 35, could accomplish that feat by beating Moorer, then facing and beating WBC heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis.

Moorer, who turns 30 four days after next weekend’s fight, said he believes Holyfield is looking past him to a bout with Lewis.

Holyfield denied that, but also said he doesn’t feel it would be right not to fight Lewis.

“I want to say I fought ‘em all in my era,” Holyfield said. “The big thing about the game of boxing is there does need to be one heavyweight champion.”

Holyfield called his fight with Moorer “an opportunity to prove you can rise from your setbacks, and I will.”

Moorer scored a majority 12-round decision over Holyfield on April 22, 1994, to win the WBA and IBF heavyweight crowns. But Moorer didn’t hold the titles very long, being stopped by George Foreman in the 10th round for his only loss 6 months later.

Holyfield (34-3 with 24 knockouts) said he injured his left shoulder in the second round of his first fight against Moorer (39-1 with 31 knockouts).

“I felt that I fought a good fight,” Holyfield said. “I felt that Michael did more. It’s not about revenge. I’m thankful about getting another opportunity.

“I hurt my shoulder. From that point on, Michael was able to use his jab. It wasn’t my best fight. Every night is not a good night. I have to be more aggressive this time.”

Holyfield predicted the bout won’t go the 12-round distance.

Will he knock Moorer out?

“Yes, I will,” Holyfield said. “I know that I’ll win.”

“We’ll see,” Moorer replied.