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Boxing

Holyfield the real deal in comeback win

20/08/2006

Veteran boxer Evander Holyfield marked his comeback to the ring in Dallas with a two-round demolition of Jeremy Bates.

The 43-year-old 'real deal' saw off his low-profile challenger after an impressive display, four years after he last won a competitive fight.

Despite taking some body shots early in the second round, Holyfield's combinations proved too much for Bates, as he quickly dispatched the journeyman insurance salesman.

A flurry of punches had Bates pinned down and, with little resistance emerging, the referee stopped the fight just before the end of round two.

Holyfield, shrugging off criticism that he was too old to be in the ring, said he was pleased to prove his skills were still intact.

"I was able to do the things that I haven't been able to do in about five years," he said.

The four-time world champion is aiming for a fifth title, although for many observers his comeback simply underlines the paucity of top quality fighters in the heavyweight division.

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