Heavyweight great Evander Holyfield at the 52nd Annual WBC Convention in Las Vegas (Photo: Chris Robinson)

By Chris Robinson

The 52nd Annual WBC Convention in Las Vegas has been stacked with boxing luminaries from across the globe.

Former undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield always attracts his share of fans and he took a minute to break bread with the media following Monday’s opening ceremony at the Mirage Hotel & Casino.

Speaking with TheBoxingVoice.com’s Sean Zittel and others, Holyfield was asked for his take on the recently-announced Jan. 17 bout between WBC heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne and top-rated contender Deontay Wilder.

“It’s going to be a great matchup,” Holyfield opened up.

“It took a person like Mike Tyson to bring it back,” Holyfield added, referencing the popularity of today’s landscape. “America’s looking for their first American heavyweight.”

Holyfield strayed away from giving a prediction but concurs that an early evening may be in store.

“It will be a good fight,” said Holyfield. “They’s both comfortable and [they] are capable of winning. They said it’s going to be a knockout and I believe it should.”

As for either man stacking up against longtime champion Wladimir Klistchko, Holyfield feels the rangey Wilder may have the edge.

“Styles make fights and Deontay, if he was going to face Klitschko, I think he would do better,” stated Holyfield.

*** Check below for the FULL interview with Evander Holyfield…

Evander Holyfield talks Bermane Stiverne vs. Deontay Wilder at the 52nd annual WBC convention

Chris Robinson can be reached at CRobinson@hustleboss.com