DES NOUVELLES D'HOLYFIELD-SAVARESE

CAMP NOTES _ June 14, 2007

Holyfield camp

Evander Holyfield has been in training camp for about six weeks, and according to trainer Ronnie Shields, the four-time world heavyweight champion is ahead of schedule: “I wish the fight was this Saturday.  I’m going to bring him down now even though there’s still two weeks to go before the fight.  That’s how ready he is.”

It was nearly 20 years ago when Shields began his first tour of duty as Holyfield’s trainer. In their first bout together Holyfield stopped Carlos DeLeon to unify the cruiserweight championship.  What is different between the Holyfield then and now? 

“I don’t see any difference.  Still the same speed and he works just as hard. Evander is wise and he uses his knowledge to the fullest.  I guess some people as they get older they find it harder to have goals.  He’s not like that.  He always sets goals for himself.”

Holyfield will end sparring late next week.  He’ll arrive in El Paso on Sunday, June 23.

Savarese camp

Lou Savarese has moved his camp from Houston to Las Cruces, New Mexico, as scheduled. “I like to get away from the distractions, and New Mexico works logistically.  Plus it’s closer to El Paso and it’s a lot drier.” Savarese, like his June 30 counterpart, doesn’t spar as much as he used to:  “When I fought George Foreman, I sparred up to 150 rounds in camp.  For this fight, I’ll spar maybe 25-30 rounds.  There’s no point in going into the ring and getting banged around and risking injury.  Sparring is more for learning.  At this stage of my career I use it mainly for execution.” 

Savarese will be sparring with national amateur champion Justin Jones. Count Savarese among those disappointed by the Briggs- Ibragimov bout: 

“I was hoping it would turn out to be a great fight because boxing needs it, especially with ultimate fighting taking up a bigger market share.  But it wound up being one of the worst fights I’d ever seen. Ibragimov is a good fighter, technically sound, but he seemed hesitant to fight Briggs. Luckily, Cotto-Judah followed the next week with a great fight.”