Holyfield faces Valuev for heavyweight title

ZURICH, Switzerland (AP):

Evander Holyfield insists he has at least one more great fight left in him. If he can summon it tonight, he'll become the oldest man to regain the world heavyweight title.

Standing between the 46-year-old American and a record fifth championship is the tallest and heaviest boxer to hold a major belt, Russia's Nikolai Valuev.

With his skills clearly dim-inished, some observers fear that Holyfield is putting his long-term health at risk by simply getting in the ring. But the Atlanta native is confident.

"I've been boxing for 38 years and have always had to make adjustments to fight someone," said Holyfield, now over a decade removed from his two wins over Mike Tyson.

"Sometimes, his arms are going to be longer than yours. This time, they're a lot longer."

Meetng a 'legend'

Holyfield will also concede nearly 100 pounds (45 kilograms) in weight to the 2.13 meter (seven-foot) Russian, who has lost only once in 50 career bouts and comes in as the bookmakers' overwhelming favourite.

Holyfield weighed in yesterday at a trim 214.3 pounds (97.2 kilograms), with Valuev tipping the scale at over 310.8 pounds (141 kilograms).

The weight difference is greater than that between the standards for cruiserweight and light flyweight, the lightest in all of boxing.

Valuev says he is not thinking about the age difference, though he adds that he watched the 'legend' Holyfield a decade ago and dreamed of meeting him in the ring.

"I don't think it is going to play a big role," the Russian said of Holyfield's age. "We are just two boxers who will fight one another. Only that matters."