Holyfield honored, 13 inducted to Hall

Steve Guiremand

Monday, July 8, 2002 | 9:17 a.m.

The African American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame bestowed Evander Holyfield with its Fighter of the Decade Award at its annual banquet on Sunday night at the Castaways Hotel. But the four-time heavyweight champion, who turns 40 this year, said he is in no hurry to hang up the gloves.

Far from it in fact.

"I've been boxing for about 32 years now," Holyfield said. "I started when I was 8 years old. And one thing I've always done is to stay focused.

"I have goals. And even now when I fight -- I'll be 40 in October -- I still have a goal. And that's to be heavyweight champion of the world again."

Considering he'll go down in history as the man who knocked mighty Mike Tyson off his pedestal not once but twice, why wouldn't Holyfield, who owns a TV station in his hometown of Atlanta as well as his own record company (Real Deal Records) and clothing line (Warrior Wear), want to just enjoy his vast fame and fortune?

"I know a lot people say that I've made a lot of money and I've won a lot of awards and things, but they don't realize how important it is to me to finish (on top)," Holyfield said. "And every goal I've ever set for myself I've been able to reach."

Holyfield is hopeful he'll fight the winner of the July 27 fight between WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz and Kirk Johnson in November.

"That would be one more step toward being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world again," he said.

As for his award from the AAESHOF, Holyfield seemed pleased that all the blood and sweat he's put out over the years was recognized.

"It shows that regardless of who has the belts now that my work has not gone unnoticed," he said. "Everybody here knows that I don't dodge anybody. They see that I fight and whatever decisions the judges make I deal with it in a respectful way. I don't mouth anybody. I just get back in line. And every time I come out, I'm in shape and I'm going to give it everything I have."

Besides honoring Holyfield, the AAESHOF also inducted 12 others into its Hall of Fame, including Las Vegas resident Martha Watson, a three-time Olympian in the long jump who was unable to attend the banquet following back surgery last week.

"Martha was in a car wreck last year and had some fractures in the back," said fellow inductee Willye White, a five-time Olympian and good friend of Watson's. "They had to do some surgery on her back last week and she is rehabbing now."

Also inducted were boxing promoter Don King, Burl Toler, the first black NFL referee, former NFL stars Ollie Matson and Raymond Chester, former NBA and UCLA star Walt Hazzard, tennis legend Althea Gibson, World Boxing Council founder and president Dr. Jose Sulaiman, Negro League baseball star Mamie "Peanut" Johnson, golfer Calvin Peete and martial arts grandmaster Tae Yun Kim, a ninth-degree black belt.

Besides Holyfield, the AAESHOF also honored Marlin Briscoe, who was the first black quarterback to play in the NFL; Billy Hunter, the executive director of the NBA Players Association; former UNLV women's track coach Karen Dennis (Special Achievement Award), Oakland Raiders offensive lineman Langston Walker (Athletic Achievement Award); and Las Vegas residents Thell Torrance (Special Boxing Achievement Award) and Huel Washington (Wendell Smith Media Award).