Evander Holyfield was cut above the left eye by an accidental head butt in the second round and his fight with Sherman Williams was stopped after the third and ruled a no-contest Saturday night.
The 48-year-old Holyfield (43-10-2) retained the World Boxing Federation heavyweight championship.
The four-time heavyweight champion came out for the third round and Williams (34-11-2) staggered him with several overhand punches. The fight was stopped after the round, and Holyfield didn’t protest the call.
Holyfield mentioned the possibility of a rematch with Williams after the bout.
Holyfield landed the first big punch of the fight, a straight left to Williams’ face in the first, but was countered soon after and flustered near the end of the round by a flurry of Williams’ blows.
The capacity crowd rose to its feet in the third round when Williams resumed his attack. Holyfield staggered into the ropes and nearly went to the canvas, but was able to regain his balance.
Holyfield again faced a series of punches from Williams to end the third, and appeared almost relived when the fight was stopped.
Holyfield’s next scheduled fight is in Denmark on March 5 against Brian Neilsen. That bout is now in jeopardy while the former undisputed cruiserweight champion takes time to let the gash above his eye heal.
After the fight, 38-year-old Williams, who hadn’t fought since a late 2009 unanimous-decision loss to Manuel Charr, said he would be open to taking Holyfield’s spot in Denmark.
