Evander Holyfield has stepped up talk of a comeback by vowing to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world again at the age of 41. The "Real Deal" wants to take on WBA champion John Ruiz or IBF holder Chris Byrd when he returns to the ring.
But, despite losing his last fight to James Toney in October, he made clear the extent of his ambitions.
"I know I can be undisputed heavyweight champion," he said: "If I didn't believe that, I wouldn't be fighting."
Holyfield hit out at boxing's blue-riband division, accusing contenders of ducking the big fights.
"The division is wide open with everyone looking for a big pay day and not fighting challengers," he said.
"I have a new team. This is a new beginning and I have the right team to go back into the ring."
 |  Evander's people called me before, and I told them I wasn't interested |
Holyfield, who has a professional record of 38 wins, seven losses and two draws, said he had a clean bill of health.
But many boxing pundits have called for him to retire after a dip in his performance levels during recent bouts.
It has been widely reported that Emanuel Steward, former trainer of recently-retired Lennox Lewis, had been set to join the Holyfield camp.
But Steward was quick to quell the speculation.
"Evander's people called me before, and I told them I wasn't interested," he said.
"I've never committed to training Holyfield."
MMIX
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