Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 27, 1994 TAG: 9404270047
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ATLANTA LENGTH: Medium
On Tuesday, four days after losing the title to Michael Moorer on a 12-round decision, Holyfield was diagnosed with a heart condition, forcing his retirement.
Holyfield's personal physician, Dr. Ronald Stephens, said the condition was manifested by severe fatigue and was diagnosed after the fight Friday night in Las Vegas. It is not life-threatening.
"It was not like he was sitting on a time bomb," said Dr. Douglas Morris, Holyfield's cardiologist. "His heart was not functioning at its maximum level. We did not look at this that his life was imperiled at any time."
Stephens, speaking at a news conference at Crawford Long Hospital, said Holyfield's condition is under control and he could lead a normal life if he follows a less strenuous lifestyle, meaning no more boxing.
"When Dr. Stephens told me, it was an easy decision," said Holyfield, 31, wearing a black warmup suit and slippers after walking slowly, with the aid of a nurse, to the podium. "I'm going to miss boxing a lot, but I believe God put boxing in my life for a reason. I had a lot of love for it, and it made a better life for me and my family."
Stephens said the condition, diagnosed as a non-compliant left ventricle or "stiff heart," prevented sufficient oxygen from being pumped to muscles and tissues.
The left ventricle is one of four chambers of the heart and one of two ventricles. It is responsible for pumping blood out of the heart to the body. The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs.
Stephens said after the fight Holyfield was taken to a Las Vegas hospital to treat a kidney condition caused by dehydration and strenuous exercise. He was given massive amounts of fluid, but his heart was not able to handle the fluid buildup.
"That's when we realized he had a cardiac condition," said Stephens, chief of general surgery at Crawford Long Hospital. Holyfield, who lost for only the second time in 32 fights, returned to Atlanta on Sunday night and was admitted to the hospital. He will undergo one more cardiac test today before being released.
Stephens said the cause of Holyfield's condition is unknown, but it was not caused by boxing.
Holyfield said he first realized he was starting to become fatigued during training for the Oct. 25, 1990, fight with Douglas. Before that, he said, he was able to train for hours and then go out "dancing all night."
"But for the Douglas fight, I started to get sick and would complain to my handlers. They called me a crybaby," Holyfield said. "I then knocked out Douglas and everybody was happy."
When he lost his title to Riddick Bowe on Nov. 13, 1993, his first loss as a pro, it was because, "I was hardheaded and didn't listen."
Holyfield then beat Alex Stewart in June 1993, and defeated Bowe in a rematch to regain the title on Nov. 6, 1993.
"That second fight with Bowe I had a little more rest and won," Holyfield said. "Then I came into this last fight with Michael Moorer. It just so happened my body couldn't do it. I did the best I could."
by CNB