EVANDER HOLYFIELD shared that he learned from Andy Ruiz Jr how sparring with him made him realize he was too old for fighting.
Although Ruiz believes that the spar took places in 2009, Holyfield, now 59, still remembers it taking place in 2011.
Evander Holyfield remembers the moment he felt old
Holyfield shared that he had a sparring session in which he met a young Ruiz Jr, and realised he was too old for fighting
Holyfield defeated Brian Nielsen in 2011 at the age of 48.
He needed just a few rounds to prove that he was done with his career as a future heavyweight champion Ruiz.
He shared his story with Pro Boxing Fans. "When I sparred Ruiz, he was 19, and he was able tag me at 46. I knew that then."
"I am not in my age range, so it doesn't make sense to be like that person by someone you believe you should beat. Experience and all, but he had speed, and I was losing speed."
Holyfield made a return last year against Vitor Belfort.
In a first round TKO, the two-division world champion was defeated.
He also wanted to fight Mike Tyson, despite them being on the opposite side of 50.
Ruiz Jr., however, became the world heavyweight champion after he stunned Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden.
Luis Ortiz was defeated by him on Sunday night, when he was knocked down three times.
Ruiz Jr. was fighting his first fight since May, when he fought past Chris Arreola.
Holyfield fought Ruiz towards his end of his heavyweight career
