Paris – Evander Holyfield is out to challenge the Klitschko brothers for the world heavyweight title, the American boxing veteran said in an interview published on Monday.
The ex-champion Holyfield, 49, told French sports daily L'equipe he wants to quit as champion and that he was capable of beating the Ukrainian brothers.
Holyfield suggested that Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko were only seeking no-risk title defences and interested mainly in a big income.
“For both of them (the Klitschkos) it is only about where they can get the biggest purse. Well, they won't get the biggest purse against second-rate boxers, but against me because I am the best known active heavyweight boxer. But they don't want to take risks,” Holyfield told L'Equipe.
“I want to retire as heavyweight champion of all federations ... I could beat them both.”
The Klitschkos have ruled heavyweight boxing in recent years with Wladimir, 35, holding the IBF, WBO and WBA crowns and Vitali, 40, the WBC title.
Holyfield won one World Boxing Council, four World Boxing Association and three International Boxing Federation titles in his career.
He famously knocked out Mike Tyson in a 1996 title bout and retained the belt a year later when Tyson was disqualified after biting off a part of Holyfield's earn.
Holyfield has been in the ring twice in 2011. His bout against Sherman Williams was a no contest after he suffered a cut in the left eye. In May, Holyfield beat Denmark's Brian Nielsen. He is next due to box in Brazil in December against a yet to be determined man after an original bout against Russian Alexander Povetkin was cancelled. – Sapa-dpa