Should Evander Holyfield come back?

The former heavyweight world boxing champion Evander Holyfield who broke iron Mike Tyson out of the ring for once had made a comeback with the intention of becoming the world's undisputed heavyweight champion once more.

Four weeks ago Holyfield unveiled a splendid opening fight dispatching Jeremy Bates within two rounds with a TKO after a long "layover" and his next fight with a tougher boxer is now scheduled for November.

Obviously this 44-year-old former champ has no intention of retiring yet and everyone is aware of that. The question is, should this ambitious old boxing legend chase his champion dream once more with a mid-aged body?

A lot of boxing fans including me are concerned with Holyfield's idea of continuing to fight. We don't want to see him get pounded in the ring in such an old age. Even if he does manage to squeeze himself into the neighborhood of top fighters, he may be beaten up again or punched into a coma, or even be killed! We really don't want to see him suffer another loss like he did when confronting James Toney in 2003 at which time he had nothing left with his worn-out and overused shell.

However, What if he quits? Where would boxing be without tenaciousness? Where would boxing be without fighters challenging their limitations? Where would boxing be if fighters only choose those opponents who are said by other people to be simply within his capability? If fighters never took risks, there would be no boxing. If Holyfield makes the step and chases his surreal goal, he is just doing the things that keep the boxing spirit alive.

Holyfield, no matter how old he is getting, is an undisputed warrior and should not be denied the right to fight. Let us bless him and wish him a welcome ending.

By Zhenyu Li, sports writer for PD Online

The article represents the writer's views only