Evander Holyfield to fight in San Antonio Alamadome November 10

Boxing: Holyfield to set up Alamodome bout

Web Posted: 09/05/2006 10:31 PM CDT

John Whisler
Express-News Staff Writer

Evander Holyfield apparently had the last word after all.
Holyfield, the legendary heavyweight who once had a piece of his ear bitten off by Mike Tyson during a fight, will meet Fres Oquendo on Nov. 10 at the Alamodome.

The 43-year-old fighter and his team of handlers are expected to announce the fight at a news conference Thursday in New York.

Ronnie Shields, Holyfield's trainer, said the four-time heavyweight champion told him Tuesday by phone that he is committed to bringing the fight to San Antonio.

"He's always wanted to fight there," Shields said.

Alamodome director Mike Abington said Tuesday that although no contracts have been signed, he is confident "the fight is going to happen."

"In fact, if I didn't have a previous commitment," Abington said, "I'd be in New York for the announcement."

Abington instead will be attending Thursday's City Council meeting, during which the council is scheduled to consider the city manager's proposed budget for 2007.

Holyfield (39-8-2, 26KOs), who is coming off a second-round knockout of Jeremy Bates on Aug. 18 that drew 8,000 fans to the American Airlines Center in Dallas, was expected to fight in San Antonio next.

But after the bout, George Hutson, manager of Holyfield's Real Deal Promotions company, announced that his client would be fighting Sinan Samil Sam in Germany next.

Shields, however, said Holyfield didn't want to fight there and that Sam turned down a fight against Holyfield in Australia.

That's when San Antonio re-entered the picture.

Shields said Holyfield would be co-promoting the fight at the Alamodome with Murad Muhammad of M&M Sports.

Oquendo (26-3, 16KOs), a native of Puerto Rico living in Chicago, twice fought for the world heavyweight title but lost both times.