Holyfield Returns to Ring for ‘Redemption in America’

Posted on | December 20, 2010 | No Comments

Headlining Jan. 22 PPV show vs. Sherman Williams in West Virginia

CHARLOTTE, NC (December 20, 2010) – Living legend Evander “The Read Deal” Holyfield returns to the ring January 22, headlining “Redemption In America: The Journey Begins Now” Pay-Per-View Event, live from America’s resort, The Greenbrier’s Colonial Hall, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Holyfield (43-10-2, 218 KOs) will defend his World Boxing Federation heavyweight title against battled-tested veteran Sherman “The Tank” Williams (34-11-2, 19 KOs) in the 12-round main event.

“Redemption In American,” presented by ARK Promotions in association with The Greenbrier, will be distributed in North American by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay per view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, Avail-TVN and DISH Network in the United States, as well as Viewer’s Choice and Shaw PPV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

“Redemption” will fuse world class boxing and entertainment; showcasing a production that includes high-energy music presented by Broadway performers, along with dancers and aerial artists. Competitive supporting fights, soon to be announced, will set the stage for the main event featuring Holyfield on his journey to become the first heavyweight champion to regain the coveted world title four different times.

“Our show will be a one-of-a-kind event – real pain, real boxing, real entertainment,” ARK Promotions president Rick Lazes said. “Redemption is about America and Evander Holyfield on the road back to the top. America’s down but not out: Americans are winners, not quitters. Just like when we put a man on the moon; when we are challenged, we are at our best, so don’t ever count us out. Just like America, Evander will show the world that he still has what it takes to rise to the challenge.

“This show is a feel-good story about America and Evander Holyfield. It opens with a performance of Ray Charles’ ‘America,’ by Tony award nominee Brandon Victor Dixon, who plays the lead in the upcoming Broadway play, ‘Unchain My Heart,’ chronicling the life of Ray Charles. The audience will see a collage of America’s beauty and strength, including the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, Statue of Liberty, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Marilyn Monroe, etc. All this will accompany Brandon’s amazing live performance of ‘America.’ I guarantee that it will give everyone goose bumps. The evening continues with non-stop boxing action, complimented by high-energy musical entertainment. It’s going to be a night to remember. No one has ever seen boxing presented like this before. If I were David Haye, I’d be counting my days as world champion.”

Holyfield has fought and beaten a virtual Who’s Who of the heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions during his Hall of Fame-bound, 26-year pro career, including world champions such as Mike Tyson (twice), George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Riddick Bowe, Michael Moorer, James “Buster” Douglas, John Ruiz (twice), Hasim Rahman, Chris Byrd, Pinklon Thomas, Michael Dokes, Dwight Muhammad Qawi (twice), and Carlos De Leon. Holyfield’s last fight was a win by eighth-round technical knockout against Frans Botha (47-4-3) last April for the vacant World Boxing Federation crown.

Williams, a native of Freeport, Bahamas, has defeated former world champion Al “Ice” Cole, fought multiple world title challenger Jameel McCline to a draw, and extended former world heavyweight titlist Ruslan Chagaev the full distance in their 2005 fight. Williams is a rugged heavyweight who has never been knocked down so expect an action packed fight to the finish.

Packages include event tickets, hotel accommodations plus tickets to the Greenbrier Classic PGA Golf Tournament in July and tickets to two concerts starring Tim McGraw and Keith Urban. Ticket/hotel packages can be purchased beginning at $575.00 per person at www.greenbrier.com or by calling 1.800.453.4858. Deadline to book reservations is Jan. 21.

Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET, and first PPV fight at 9 PM/ET, 6 PM/PT.

For more information about the Holyfield-Williams PPV event go to www.greenbrier.com, www.NCMusicFactory.com or www.integratedsportsnet.com.