EVANDER: Why is he fighting for a title?

Because he is a living freaking legend. You don't get it?

 

:yep

and he sells PPV/puts asses on seats

 

He is the second biggest ppv draw next to tyson in the last 10 years plus hes a great american champ people want to see win the title again for the 5th time

 

because it could be his last fight. Since he is one of the few thats keeping the heavyweights exciting, why not test him if he still has it? If he doesnt then he;'s done, if he wins..he either goes on or retire deserving the title.

 

why not? Please tell me you dont take those ranking seriously....any organizations that put Ray Austin at #2, and give owen beck title shots is beyond ridiculous

 

:happy

 

They needed a fill in for ruslan who could spark the interest of the people paying for these lame ass ppvs plus holyfield as champ brings in more to boxing than all other champs combined

 

You have 3 lame reasons just above this post

1. He's a living legend
2. He draws and people want to see him (not sure I agree with this one)
3. The rankings don't really count for jack **** anway

The reason is really plain and simple, name recognition. He's getting a shot based on his previous accomplishments and the heavyweight division sucks just bad enough that nobody gives a **** that a bunch of other shitty contendors are getting stepped over. Even if he wins it won't mean **** IMO everybody knows who is really the champ of that division and nobody gives a **** about the WBO anyway

 

ring top 10 heavies:

1. Wlad ---Iggy doesnt want to lose his title that quickly
2. Peter---fighting maskaev
3. Maskaev-fighting Peter
4. Chagaev-sick
5. Valuev-has another fight set up, coming off a loss
6. Iggy
7. Layahovich-has another fight set up
8. Byrd-fight set up, coming off a loss
9. Virchis- fight set up
10. Thompson-fight set up

plus,who on here can give him a bigger fight than Holy?

 

He have one of the best records in the last 2 years, just Wald and Peter might beat better opponents recently.

 

Pro boxing is a business not a tournament or an olympic event.
This fight brings in more elements of interest to a larger paying audience who otherwise wouldn't care about who really deserves a title shot. Holyfield is a household name in America. Fighting one of the four Russian champs is the best possible sell for the USA the richest boxing market in the world.
I give Holy a damned good chance at winning.

 

No, he doesn't. He has taken the Shannon Briggs route to a title shot.

Holy is getting a shot because of:

A) Money. People will buy the fight off his name
B) Money. People will buy the fight to see if he can do the unthinkable, and win
C)Money. People will buy the fight just to confirm that he's going to be smashed, and want to watch him one more time.
D) Perverse curiosity. People will buy the fight to see if he really has rolled back time, and improved since his awful fights v Toney and Donald

 

Since the fight is in Russia I'll take Ibragimov by UD but see Holyfield giving Iggy a damned good fight!