• Boxing news

Holyfield keeps title after headbutt ends fight early

ESPN staff
January 23, 2011
Evander Holyfield's quest to return to the top of the heavyweight division has suffered a blow after cutting an eye against Sherman Williams © PA Photos
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Evander Holyfield retained his WBF heavyweight title after his fight with Sherman Williams was abandoned due to an accidental headbutt.

The four-time heavyweight champion was cut after an accidental clash of heads in the second round and, after Williams launched a flurry of punches in the third, the 48-year-old had the look of a relieved man when the referee brought proceedings to a halt at the bell.

With the bout being ruled a no contest, Holyfield kept the belt but his planned fight against Brian Neilsen is now in doubt. The pair are supposed to meet in Denmark on March 5 but the American may be forced to pull out so that his eye wound can sufficiently heal.

A rematch between Williams and Holyfield may be on the cards, although the former has already expressed an interest about stepping into the breach should Holyfield fail to recover in time to face Neilsen.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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