Faith or Folly? : Doctors Will Need Proof That Holyfield Has Been ‘Healed’

Boxing officials said Monday they will need concrete medical proof that a faith healer cured Evander Holyfield’s heart problem before allowing him back in the ring.

The former heavyweight champion hinted at a return to boxing over the weekend after claiming faith healer Benny Hinn miraculously cured him during a Christian revival in Philadelphia last week.

“We can’t rely on faith healers in a dangerous sport such as boxing,” said New Jersey boxing commissioner Larry Hazzard.

Holyfield, speaking through a spokesman from his Fairburn, Ga., home, said Monday that rumors of an imminent comeback have been blown out of proportion, but he is considering it.

“He said if it was God’s will, he’ll come back. But he doesn’t know when that will be,” spokesman Charles Watson said.

Holyfield, 31, retired in April after losing a 12-round bout with Michael Moorer and disclosing he had a condition known as a stiff heart. Holyfield’s heart does not receive enough oxygen for strenuous activity. It also has a small hole.

Boxing officials said the chance of Holyfield returning to boxing is remote considering the diagnosis.

Watson said Holyfield has not yet seen his doctor. Ronald Stephens, Holyfield’s physician and chief of general surgery at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta, could not be reached for comment.

Hazzard and Marc Ratner, executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, said every boxer must pass routine physical exams given by medical advisory boards before fights. Boxers with a history of medical problems undergo more rigorous exams and scrutiny of Holyfield’s health would be even more intense, they said.

Holyfield, a born-again Christian, said he felt “a warm feeling” go through his chest when Hinn touched him while they were on stage in front of 9,000 Christians on Thursday. He then collapsed.

On Friday, Holyfield collapsed three times during the four-hour service and spent most of the time lying on the Philadelphia Civic Center stage.

Sometime during the three-day services, which drew more than 23,000 people, Holyfield agreed to give $265,000 to underwrite costs for the crusade.