When a boxer reaches the end of their career, peculiar occurrences can unfold. Their bodies lose their strength and agility, while their skills gradually diminish. In a strange twist of fate, some attempt to transport themselves back in time, only to find themselves trapped in the past. Once feeling invincible, they now exist in a bizarre state of immortality, constantly revived not by deranged scientists, but by promoters driven by greed. They wander through unfamiliar territories, exploring realms they never could have imagined during their heyday when prestigious locations like Las Vegas and London eagerly embraced them. Sadly, they are compelled to participate in degrading spectacle matches at carnivals, where they are paid to devalue their legacy. Tempting offers of wealth and a chance to relive past glories entice them like enchanting melodies, only to be devoured by younger pretenders.
These are not the tales of the boxers – almost all boxers – who fight on for too long. These are the tales of the boxers who fight on for years and years after they were last even remotely viable as contenders. These are tales of oddities, of embarrassments, of unusual locations – with no happy endings in sight.
EPISODE 1: EVANDER HOLYFIELD – TRUMPED ON 9/11
The once-most powerful man on the planet sits at the head table, as a legendary warrior, who has already been the protagonist of numerous tales of the unexpected, is summoned for a final performance before an audience of ghouls.
In his prime, Holyfield encountered numerous extraordinary and otherworldly occurrences. He successfully fended off challengers from different eras who possessed the ability to time-travel. As he engaged in combat, he witnessed a man soar into the boxing ring. Additionally, he sought the aid of a faith healer following a supposed heart attack during a match. Remarkably, he managed to survive an assault by a cannibal.
However, as he nears the realm of the Twilight Zone, the authenticity of the ‘Real Deal’ begins to lose its credibility. Setbacks and breaks are attributed to injuries, yet he adamantly denies the possibility that these injuries may be a consequence of aging. With unwavering determination, he proclaims that “the best is yet to come” as he commences his comeback in 2006 at the age of 43.
He overcomes a series of carefully chosen opponents, including a WWE wrestler who falls victim to his deceptive punches. This success allows him to regain his momentum and secure two more opportunities to vie for the championship. He travels to Russia and Switzerland, where the towering Alps cast their shadow, and despite being 46 years old, only Three Blind Mice prevent him from defeating a formidable 7ft Beast From the East. Undeterred by this setback, Holyfield uses a clever trick to achieve the remarkable feat of becoming the sport’s first five-time heavyweight champion. Additionally, he claims the WBF title by defeating a weakened White Buffalo, even though the title itself holds little significance. Nevertheless, both fans and media echo the sentiment. Finally, he concludes his career, at least officially, with a victory in Denmark against an ironically named boxer named Super Brian. This match features competitors whose combined age amounts to 94 years.
However, if Holyfield is not yet considered old enough and his story isn’t strange enough, it takes an even more absurd turn over a decade later. In 2021, at the age of 58, he unexpectedly steps in to replace Oscar De La Hoya (yes, it’s true) in an exhibition match against MMA sensation Vitor Belfort with less than a week’s notice.
During the repugnant spectacle that unfolds from beginning to end, Holyfield is devastatingly defeated in a single round. Adding to the peculiarity, the entire event is overseen and narrated by none other than the well-known sports commentator, Donald Trump. It is only fitting that this renowned patriot takes part in the event, which coincides with September 11. The Don’s involvement serves as a major selling point for this absurdity. However, by receiving a hefty payment of $2.5 million for simply engaging in his usual verbose manner before an audience, he inadvertently becomes a significant factor in its financial downfall.
EPISODE 2: ROY JONES – THE SUPERHERO WHO TOOK KRYPTONITE
Both fans and pundits are left in awe, questioning whether they have just witnessed the emergence of the greatest boxer in history. A former middleweight has now claimed the WBA heavyweight championship, earning the nickname ‘Superman’ – a title that goes beyond the realm of comic book tales.
However, Father Time, a jealous being, begins to secretly give Superman stronger and stronger doses of Kryptonite. As a result, Jones, after reaching his lowest point in 2003, experiences physical shrinkage and visible difficulties. Then, in an incredibly unbelievable turn of events, he ultimately suffers a defeat.
Even more astonishingly, he suffers defeat once more. And then again. He gathers the spirits of the past and makes a final attempt to win a championship, only to be defeated by a powerful Welsh opponent. In 2009, Superman’s vulnerability is definitively proven when he travels to Australia and is swiftly defeated by a formidable opponent in just two minutes.
Despite being in his 40s, he continues to persevere, participating in 18 more fights. Surprisingly, even at his advanced age, he manages to achieve the title of the greatest UBO Intercontinental champion in history. Unaware of it, Jones carries a hidden weakness with him as he travels across various countries, including Poland, Latvia, and Russia. It is during his time in Russia in 2015 that he forms a friendship with Vladimir Putin, ultimately receiving a passport from him.
Upon his return to America as a newly dual citizen, the individual’s career ventures into increasingly peculiar territory. Initially, he engages in a boxing match against an enthusiastic fan who had never boxed before but had won a prize draw to face Jones. Following that, he triumphs over a bareknuckle brawler while wearing gloves. And in an empty arena during the Covid era, at the age of 51, he playfully spars with the legendary Mike Tyson in an exhibition match that proves to be incredibly lucrative. These exhibitions featuring middle-aged icons continue to captivate audiences even today.
Jones’s last official match comes at the age of 54 as he mimics Holyfield by losing to a mixed martial artist. The man who beats him, Anthony Pettis, is incredibly not the first boxing debutant to beat a former world champion (more on that in a later episode). But unlike Holyfield, his last appearance results in a ‘victory’, as he beats a celebrity bodybuilder in a so-called ‘metaverse’ exhibition match which renders the real action into CGI so bad it looks like a PlayStation 1 game. In that sense, Superman turns back time by erasing the wrinkles – but unfortunately not that stubborn Kryptonite.
EPISODE 3: LARRY HOLMES – COCOON: THE RETURN
Holmes, known for his petulant nature, makes a demand that is unlikely to inspire anyone: he declares that he will not box again unless it is for a world title, at the age of 46. However, his resolve quickly weakens when a somewhat noteworthy champion, Brian Nielsen, from Denmark, offers him a chance to fight for his IBO belt. While it may not be considered a prestigious “world championship” by others, Holmes is easily enticed and agrees to the offer.
Nielsen beats Holmes and, not for the first time, Holmes cries robbery. He repeats his title-fight conditions for fighting on, but a problem for a man who probably wants his bluff called is that the loss to Nielsen punts him well out of any recognised set of world rankings.
As time goes by, the reigning champions in the heavyweight division manage to avoid facing Holmes, bringing him closer to his old age. Eventually, he decides to join a community specifically designed for elderly athletes, where he meets fellow retired boxers who share his passion. Within the community, they discover a rejuvenating pool that offers them a chance to regain their youthful vigor. This opportunity allows them to showcase their skills once again on pay-per-view and even compete for a championship title.
Holmes assembles a group of his companions, including Bonecrusher Smith (46), Billy Costello (43), Tim Witherspoon (41), Greg Page (39), and Juan LaPorte (39). Being 49 years old, he is the eldest and most seasoned among them, taking on the role of the leader in a cult he names Legends of Boxing. He articulates his plan, stating, “In case they refuse to allow us, the elder fighters, to compete for global championships, we shall create our own.”
In his delusional state, Holmes, surrounded by his followers, initiates the Legends of Boxing Championship, specifically designed for boxers between the ages of 35 and 55. In the month of June 1999, Holmes defeats Smith to claim the first-ever heavyweight title, while Page emerges victorious over Witherspoon in a qualifying match. Costello secures the middleweight championship by defeating LaPorte.
Holmes emerges in his 50s as a victorious champion once again, successfully defending his newfound status by defeating the younger Mike Weaver at 49. Simultaneously, on the undercard, the peculiar spectacle of Butterbean, a 5ft 11lbs, 350lbs carnival performer, ends in a draw against a boxer who has only won a meager portion of his fights. Surprisingly, the Legends of Boxing series fails to garner commercial success. Nevertheless, Holmes cannot resist the temptation of one final bout, this time against the aforementioned Butterbean. In July 2002, despite conceding 16 years and 80lbs, Holmes manages to secure a victory. However, it is not without a last-round scare that ultimately convinces Holmes, at the age of 52, to retire. No amount of science fiction or fabricated titles can conjure another lucrative opportunity for Holmes.
EPISODE 4: LEON SPINKS – BOXING’S JEKYLL MEETS WRESTLING’S HYDE
Restless is Neon Leon. In 1991, he finds himself out of the boxing ring for four years. Back in the day, he possessed both the skill and youthful vigor to secure an Olympic gold medal and later claim the esteemed title of heavyweight champion by defeating none other than Muhammad Ali.
Spinks, who is now in his late 30s, has only managed to win one out of his last 10 fights. However, he finds himself observing an older, heavier, and more bald man making a remarkable comeback, eventually earning a chance at a title and millions of dollars. These are the very dollars that Spinks desperately requires. Filled with determination, he convinces himself, “If Big George can achieve it, then so can I.”
The comeback commences in the usual manner, with the washed-up celebrity triumphing over a string of lesser-known opponents. However, an odd occurrence takes place for Spinks: he begins to exhibit signs of having a split personality. One side of him remains the recognizable figure with diminishing abilities, while the other side emerges whenever he ventures across the Pacific, arriving in the Orient with newfound prowess in an unfamiliar sport.
Despite being separated by geography, the two-headed Spinks manages to exist simultaneously in time. In the lesser-known boxing rings of his home country, the United States, he faces numerous challenges. He finds himself grappling with split decisions against opponents with less impressive records of 6-17-2 and 8-28. However, when he travels to Japan, his alter-ego as a wrestler emerges and he engages in epic battles against renowned figures in grand arenas, ultimately achieving the remarkable feat of securing a world title victory.
Spinks achieved a remarkable feat on March 25, 1992. Merely five days after emerging victorious in a 10-round boxing match in Missouri, he triumphed over Tarzan Goto to claim the prestigious Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling (FMW) heavyweight championship. This significant accomplishment makes him the first individual, following Primo Carnera, to hold major titles in both the realms of boxing and wrestling.
The wrestling reign comes to an end after a short span of just two months, conveniently falling between his third and fourth boxing matches during his comeback. In a cage match, he surrenders the FMW belt and continues wrestling for another year. However, his boxing persona, Hyde, ultimately triumphs over his wrestling alter ego, Jekyll. In reality, even more formidable demons, of a highly captivating and addictive nature, prove to be more dominant than both boxing and wrestling.
Boxing provides a convenient and effortless means for him to finance his vices. The desire to make a comeback takes a backseat to this, as it becomes evident in his defeat against a 13-8-2 fighter. His downfall continues with another loss to a journeyman with a record of 2-34-1, followed by a humiliating knockout in just 69 seconds against someone who has never even stepped into a boxing ring before. In the past, Spinks held the record for becoming a world heavyweight champion in the fewest number of fights (eight). However, his reputation takes a severe blow as he becomes the only former world champion to be defeated by a debutant, a status that remains until Roy Jones vs Pettis 29 years later.
Spinks concludes his boxing journey with the lowest success rate among all heavyweight champions, standing at 56.5% (26-17-3). This outcome is rather disheartening for a man who had once defeated the Greatest Of All Time in boxing. However, Spinks can take solace in the fact that he also triumphed over Tarzan in Tokyo, a feat that even Ali himself could not lay claim to.
EPISODE 5: DANNY WILLIAMS – THE GIFT AND THE CURSE
“Step right up! Step right up! Witness the incredible man who defeated Mike Tyson!”
As Danny Williams’ career enters its final stages, he continues to tour primarily in Eastern Europe, thanks to questionable promoters and ringmasters. Despite being almost 20 years past its prime, the travelling circus of his career keeps moving.
In 2004, a charming Londoner successfully banishes the spirit of Mike Tyson and views it as a valuable asset. Initially, it brings him wealth, recognition, and prospects. However, the situation takes a drastic turn, transforming into a relentless curse. For years on end, Williams finds himself trapped in a boxing limbo, burdened by the weight of this disguised marketing gimmick.
As time goes by, his performance declines. The victories become more challenging to achieve while the losses become increasingly decisive. In a distant era when Derek Chisora was just starting out, he completely overwhelms Williams. This event is so disheartening that the British Boxing Board of Control permanently forbids Williams from obtaining a license ever again.
However, Williams persists in his fight, departing from the land that has abandoned him. Even now, he is known as the one who defeated Tyson, a title that follows him relentlessly. Relentlessly, he is put on display before dwindling audiences, never allowed to escape his past triumph.
During his journey, Williams ventures through 16 countries, engaging in over 40 boxing matches, some of which were not officially recognized. Eventually, at the age of 45, he manages to return to the UK in 2018 with the assistance of BIBA, an alternative licensing body that permits his staged fight against a former lightweight (unfortunately resulting in his defeat). On a more joyous occasion, he attains the title of “world heavyweight champion” bestowed upon him by an organization called the GBC, after knocking out an opponent with a staggering 42 losses out of 45 fights. Furthermore, despite being British and facing a Russian contender, Williams competes for the Latvian championship.
While there are occasional glimpses of his former prowess, they are overshadowed by the numerous embarrassments. Williams manages to defeat Boban Filipovic with a score of 24-0, and puts up a good fight against Oleg Maskaev and Mahmoud Charr. However, these victories are outweighed by his defeats, which include not only losing to lightweight opponents but also to journeymen, debutants, a 53-year-old, and even an obscure opponent in a mere 23 seconds.
In the latest installment, a gripping double-length episode concludes with a nail-biting cliffhanger. Despite his 25th consecutive defeat since the Chisora fight, Williams, now 50 years old, continues to compete in an Estonian gymnasium, witnessed by a mere dozen spectators. It is the month of August in the year 2023. Given his resilient nature, we cannot dismiss the possibility of witnessing his return to the ring. The suspense remains as we eagerly await the answer: Will he summon the courage to fight again? Rest assured, the story of “the man who knocked out Mike Tyson” is far from over. Stay tuned…
*In Season 2 of the Twilight Zone: Will the boxer who defeated Mike Tyson continue to participate in matches? What thrilling events will unfold when Tyson returns to the ring to face off against a popular YouTuber? Are we about to witness Manny Pacquaio’s entry into the show’s cast? And, has Floyd Mayweather’s exhibition tour reached its end? Keep watching to find out!
