Boxing: Holyfield and Harrison eye big fights after wins

The Las Vegas return to the ring of Evander Holyfield went smoothly on Saturday night with the veteran winning for the 43rd time to claim a bogus world heavyweight title belt when he stopped Frans Botha in eight rounds.

The night before in London Audley Harrison, who had threatened to quit if he lost, was trailing heavily on points against Michael Sprott going into the 12th and last round before finding a punch to save the night and salvage his career. In the mad world of heavyweight boxing the two fighters, who were just a loss away from permanent retirement, are now right back in the mix and could very easily fight for a real title before the end of the year.

In near identical post-fight interviews they both talked boldly about quick returns to the ring, possible fights with David Haye, who holds the World Boxing Association title, and each went over familiar ground by insisting that they are as good as they have ever been.