Atlanta

Mayor Reed announces new statue for Evander Holyfield

ATLANTA — There will soon be a familiar face in downtown Atlanta: Boxer Evander Holyfield.

Mayor Kasim Reed held a news conference Monday announcing plans to erect a statue for the Atlanta native.

“Evander Holyfield embodies what it means to chase your dreams,” Reed said. “This is our effort to make sure that we tell a full story of the City of Atlanta and its citizens.”

Reed, who called Holyfield a treasure, said the 9-foot statue is part of city’s public art investment that honors history makers.

“I believe that great cities have great art and great artists, and these treasures should be accessible to all our residents, and I believe that Evander Holyfield is a treasure,” Reed said.

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“I had 164 wins and I had 11 losses because my momma wouldn’t let me quit,” Holyfield said.

Holyfield said growing up poor in Atlanta, the youngest of 9, had its challenges, but he believed in himself, and he encourages kids who look up to him to do so, too.

“You’ve got to have a support group behind you,” he said.

The bronze sculpture of the former heavyweight champion of the world is already in production.

The sculpture will stand outside of the Flatiron Building, off Auburn Avenue. A crew will install it in January.