Holyfield Hammers Out Maddalone

(March 17, 2007) Corpus Christi, Texas (American Bank Center)—-

Former five-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield was back in action in Texas and that made for a short night work against journeyman Vinny Maddalone.

The 44-year-old Holyfield (41-8-2, 27 KO’s) repeatedly ripped into the bloody Maddalone (27-4, 19 KO’s) with whistling left hooks and riveting right hands in a bout that referee Ruben Carrion mercifully halted at the urging of the Flushing New York heavyweight’s corner, at 2:48 of the third round.

With blood pouring from Maddalone’s forehead the result of a first round clash of heads, Holyfield (216) continued to tee off on the marginal heavyweight, landing effortlessly and repeatedly with jolting combinations and numbing shots. Currently ranked number-ten by the WBC, Holyfield, Atlanta, Georgia simply overpowered the larger and almost stationary 33-year-old Maddalone (233 14) blasting him around the ring and forcing him to retreat from the midway point of the opening stanza in a bout scheduled for ten rounds.

In recent weeks, the former heavyweight champion of the world, who first captured the undisputed heavyweight crown when he leveled James “Buster” Douglas in three rounds back October 1990; has had his name linked to an ongoing nationwide investigation of steroids and human growth hormone. Nevertheless, Holyfield was focused and always in excellent condition, as he quickly dismantled Maddalone, whose biggest victories have come against, second and third tier no-name heavyweights.

–Target Practice–

With 2:32 to go in the 3rd, Holyfield drove his opponent into the ropes with a brutal combination including two devastating head shots that buckled Maddalone’s knees and almost dropped what amounted to a defenseless target. In front of 6,500 paying customers and with the crowd chanting the former champion’s name, “Holyfield, Holyfield, Holyfield”, the muscular boxer continued to unload brutal shots but somehow Maddalone remained vertical. Longtime trainer Al Certo implored the referee to stop the contest and with blood dripping from Maddalone’s face the referee finally halted the carnage.

To read more check out Boxing Times 

---

Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation, or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically each day to your feed reader.

Boxing Martial Arts | Powered by WordPress | ElegantBlue is a custom theme by Nathan Rice