It has become a common feat in boxing for a fighter to follow in the footsteps of their highly successful father in turning professional and becoming a household name within the sport.
In recent times, former world champions Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn, who shared a two thrilling battles themselves in 1990 and 1993 have passed on the baton to their sons, Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn respectively.
Eubank Jr, has already picked up the less acclaimed IBO super middleweight championship with victory over arch-rival James De Gale and the mega fights with the likes of Gennady Golovkin, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and a rematch with Billy Joe Saunders are all possible for 2020; results and performances which will determine if he is able to not just emulate his father’s success, but potentially surpass it.
Rising prospect Benn, is still in the early stages of his professional venture despite racking up 16 straight wins, including a stoppage of Steve Jamoye at the O2 arena on Saturday, to defend his WBA continental Welterweight title.
His father Nigel’s glittering career is something to be admired despite it not continuing any further with his sensational November return against Sakio Bika cancelled due to a shoulder injury.
However, whilst the two sons mentioned are fairly established amongst the public, despite not reaching their full potentials yet, one man stepping into the ring on Saturday night will also have a family reputation riding on his shoulders.
Evan Holyfield, son of the legendary four-time heavyweight world ruler Evander Holyfield will make his professional debut at super-welterweight on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez’s WBO world light-heavyweight title bout with Sergey Kovalev at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas; the same venue his father famously beat Mike Tyson twice in 1996 and in their rematch seven months later.
All eyes will be on “Yung Holy” inside the iconic arena and with an outstanding amateur pedigree, which spanned 80 contests, he is expected to come through his inexperienced counterpart Nick Winstead (0-1) in fairly respectable fashion.
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The 21-year-old has been training out of the Fighter Nation Boxing Gym, Houston, Texas and will be competing under the Main Events Boxing banner, the same as his father as well as using the same strength and conditioning coach, Tim Hallmark who helped guide Holyfield Sr during his career.
The “Real Deal” was involved in some of the most defining fights of his generation in two weight classes, including the two victories over Tyson, unanimous decision wins over George Foreman and Larry Holmes and his fascinating double-headers with Lennox Lewis.
The future is Evan’s oyster. He has the name and the profile before even entering the ring for the first time and the super welterweight will no doubt be one off the stand-out attractions in Las Vegas even on a night where Canelo Alvarez is attempting to become a four-weight world champion.
