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Holyfield: I could beat the Klitschkos (but I'll probably retire)

The 49-year-old says he can’t be bothered climbing the rankings to take on either Wladimir or Vitali.

EVANDER HOLYFIELD HAS claimed he could defeat world champions Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, despite hinting he may retire from boxing.

The 49-year-old four-time world heavyweight champion last fought in May 2011, when he defeated Denmark’s Brian Nielsen and has claimed he is not interested in bouts that do not have a world title up for grabs.

Holyfield believes he is ready to take on either of the Klitschko brothers who hold the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO belts between them.

“I’m in good enough shape and I’m a good enough fighter and I believe I could beat the Klitschko brothers, even at soon to be 50,” Holyfield said.

“But I’m not willing to pay the price of going through the ranking fights, to fight two or three other people, to get the championship fight.

“I can’t put myself in a position to go and fight these guys that are 28 or 30.

“At least the Klitschkos are in their late 30s and early 40s; we’re in the same boat.

“I gave the brothers a choice; I’ve done everything I could.

“If they don’t have that respect for me, I understand that, I move on.”

Holyfield has conceded, however, that his 28-year professional boxing career is almost over.

“Right now I’m winding it down, I can’t get the fights I want,” Holyfield said.

“I haven’t made it official but the time is coming that I will. I don’t have that much fight left in me.”

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