Evander Holyfield TKO’d by Vitor Belfort in first round as fans chant for Trump

Danny Jones

Evander Holyfield TKO'd by Vitor Belfort in the first-round

The 58-year-old barely got going in a display that fans called ‘sad’ and was somewhat overshadowed by the presence of the former President

Evander Holyfield‘s return to the boxing world – albeit for charity bouts – did not go to plan, as he was TKO’d by opponent Vitor Belfort within the first round.

After hitting the deck from a quick uppercut, Holyfield struggle to get his head straight and keep his guard up, before the referee intervened and stopped the fight, declaring 44-year-old Belfort the winner. You can see the moment here.

Vitor Belfort’s pressure proved to be too much for Evander Holyfield.

(via @OmarESPN) pic.twitter.com/wlR89gCjJC

— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) September 12, 2021

Despite former UFC star having to deal with the boxing transition, it was clear that Holyfield – now 58 and not having fought since 2014 – is not the same specimen he was in his prime.

Fans were already concerned about how this fight would go after his training footage emerged just days before the fight, but you can only applaud stepping back into the ring after all this time regardless.

Belfort himself only recently retired in 2018, but it seems those extra few years both in terms of age and time away from fighting makes all the difference, as he looked to the same high levels you’d expect from an MMA fighter.

However, while Holyfield’s rather reserved return might not come as too much of a surprise, many viewers at home would have been shocked to hear big chants of “We Want Trump!” on the night.

Massive chants of "WE LOVE TRUMP" and "SPEECH" erupt at the Holyfield vs Belfort fight as President Trump MC's with @DonaldJTrumpJr

Watch. This is amazing. pic.twitter.com/hq2IsEcPGs

— Danny De Urbina (@dannydeurbina) September 12, 2021

As you can see, people were holding up signs and chanting his name, as the former President commentated the fight – an announcement that caught most people off guard and also included David Haye’s return to boxing too.

Trump stood to enjoy the cheer and applause, saying he was “honoured” to be with them, adding “We love our country, we love our country. Thank you very much.”

As many of the signs in the crowd indicated, he has already precluded running for office again in 2024 and getting involved in events like this are all a part of campaigning – though it seemed he didn’t need much to get many of those in the arena onside.