The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Boxing heavyweight Holyfield in relief drive

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Friday, Jan 07, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Boxing heavyweight Holyfield in relief drive

By Ramya Kannan

CUDDALORE, JAN. 6. Standing head and shoulders above the crowd that surrounded him was a strapping figure on the sands of Thalanguda, a fishing hamlet in Cudddalore district, ravaged by the December 26 tsunami strike.

A most unlikely figure in this part of the world, it took a few minutes to sink in that the tall man standing with his hands crossed on his chest, looking decidedly serious was Evander Holyfield, four time world heavyweight champion, well remembered for his bout with Mike Tyson in 1997, which left him with two bleeding ears.

Both ears intact, Holyfield was in Cuddalore on Thursday afternoon, as part of a team of volunteers flown in from the United States by the Global Peace Initiative to distribute aid to the victims.

According to locals, 38 persons from Thalanguda died when killer waves crashed on the shores.

A man who has repeatedly acknowledged his "heavy reliance on faith," Holyfield stood out in the crowd, throwing in his weight with the team he accompanied from the U.S.

"I grew up as a poor kid. I was only able to make it big because someone helped me then. I am now one of the most popular men in the world. It is a big part of my life to help people, just as someone helped me years ago," the pugilist said, his head inclined.

He will tour Cuddalore for a day, along with the 2003 Miss World Runner Up Nazanin Afshin-Jam, from Canada, visiting relief camps and a few villages, helping out where he is required to. The team, led by K.A. Paul, flew in medical supplies and food from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Chennai and then, took them by road to Cuddalore.

It was not long before the crowds swarmed around him, tugging at his short sleeve persistently until he turned and looked at them. "Camera-picture... please... " the young fishermen of Thalanguda pleaded. That was a language he was used to and obviously, recognised. He turned obligingly to pose for a few pictures as young men slid into place behind him. They seemed to have forgotten that they had, not long ago, lost family and were left with no property. "Do you know who that is?" someone asked the boys. "Yes, yes. We've seen him in stills in the papers. Boxer, no?" says Karthikeyan. Does he know his name? "Yes, yes. Mike Tyson, no?" A member of the relief team that is in the village at the same time cut him short, " No. He is the boxer Mike Tyson bit."

Earlier, 28 members of the Global Peace Ambassadors arrived in Chennai, with relief materials. Dr. Paul called on the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, at the Secretariat.

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