Holyfield treasures his ESPY

Victoria Sun

Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2000 | 10:04 a.m.

Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is well-known as the guy who had part of his ear chewed off by Mike Tyson during a 1998 title fight.

But if he had his choice, Holyfield would rather be thought of as one of the best boxers to step into a ring.

Because he feels he still hasn't convinced the boxing world of this, he'll take what accolades he can get.

On Monday, Holyfield accepted the ESPY for Boxer of the Decade, beating out Pernell Whitaker, Oscar De La Hoya and Roy Jones Jr.

Afterward, he reflected on his career.

"If you look at my history the last few years, I never was voted pound-for-pound best boxer," Holyfield said while holding his crystal trophy. "Not one of those years.

"You look at Pernell Whitaker, he's considered pound-for-pound one of the best boxers. Oscar De La Hoya and even Roy Jones (are also). It kind of bothered me sometimes ... after all I did, they didn't think I was the best.

"But at the end, you know, I get this award here."

Holyfield didn't sound bitter, but he paused to hold up the award in triumph before continuing with a hint of satisfaction. Then he committed a flub causing the room to erupt in laughter.

"And it means more than that pound-for-pound (stuff)," he offered. "Best athlete or boxer of the century or whatever."

There is one incident in Holyfield's mind the ESPY couldn't make up for -- the 1984 Olympics.

That year, he was favored to win the gold medal, but lost his chance when he was disqualified for a late blow that knocked out his opponent in the semifinals. He ended up with the bronze medal.

The 37-year-old Holyfield, nicknamed the "Real Deal," has plenty of accomplishments to be proud of, although he couldn't name one that stood out in his mind.

"There were so many things I had to overcome," he said. "Even when I look at the first fight I ever fought.

"People asked how that could be great. Well, that was the start. There's always a start, there's always an end. If you never get started, you're already stopped.

"I remember what my coach told me at 8 years old: 'You need to go out and hit this guy. Hit him with your best shot.' Then I looked over there and I could see the coach telling that kid the same thing and that scared me, but I'm the one that went out there and did it first and I won.

"And that's been pretty much the motivation for my whole career."

Not that he has any plans to retire soon.

"Yes, I am going to fight (again) and I am going to be four-time heavyweight champion of the world," Holyfield said.