Evander Holyfeild (43-10-2, 28 KO) vs. Sherman Williams (39-11-2, 19 KO)
This fight means more then most people think, especially to the people of Detroit. Yes, Evander Holiyfeild is only a shell of his former self. Yes, he isn't even close to fighting the best of opponents. It isn't who, or why Evander is fighting in Detroit. It is the fact that he is fighting in Detroit, where boxing used to reign supreme. Detroit is finally starting to get more boxing matches on a bigger scale. Last March Joe Louis Arena played host to the Super Six World Boxing Classic, a super middleweight fight between Andre Dirrell vs. Athur Abraham. That had great success, and so will this fight with Evander Holyfeild. The Joe Louis Arena is the home of the Detroit Red Wings, the New York Yankees of the NHL. This hollowed ground's namesake shouldn't even have to be explained. When you are an arena named after one of the most legendary heavyweight champions of all time you have fighting in your blood. Detroit has always produced great champions, from Joe Louis, James Toney, to Tommy Hearns. Detroit is the home of Emanuel Steward's world famous Kronk Gym. The people of Detroit are hard working, born fighters that never give up. It doesn't matter how bad things are, they always fight to the end. This city has had many problems from racially motivated riots, corrupt mayors, and a dieing automobile industry. Whatever problems the people of Detroit are fighting through they keep moving on. Sporting events help the healing, and bring people together especially fighting. Boxing gets people talking, and whelps wake a slumbering city. When people come down to the city for sports the city is alive. Weather it is the MLB All-Star game, Super Bowl XL, or a prize fight the city is alive, and people come down town and spend money. The 1968, and 1984 Tigers brought people together, and took away some of the cities tension. The significance of Joe Louis beating Max Schmeling is parallel to no other. Max fought for Germany as a member of the Luftwaffe. He was an elite paratrooper for the Nazi regime. When Joe Louis knocked him out and won the heavyweight title he became the first African-American lifted to hero status. That victory gave confidence to Americans that they could defeat Nazi-Germany. He helped break the color barrier for every athlete after him. Later Joe and Max became close friends, with Max helping pay for his funeral. I can remember how alive the city was when Tommy Hearns was in his heyday. People no matter who they were, what walk of life they came from, or how they disagreed politically always had the common ground of Tommy Hearns to talk about. Sports, and boxing specifically can take your mind off of the problems in your life even if it for one night. That is why this fight is so important, and that is why I wont talk negatively about Evander Holyfeild, this event or any other in Detroit for that matter.
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