Tyson set to attend fight at Greenbrier January 22 card to feature Holyfield

Tyson set to attend fight at Greenbrier January 22 card to feature Holyfield

By Nick Brockman Register-Herald Reporter

BECKLEY - Before "Redemption," there must be preparation.

The staff at The Greenbrier is readying this week for "Redemption in America: The Journey Begins Now," what CEO and owner Jim Justice said is the resort's first-ever prize fight.

The event will feature a bout between Evander Holyfield (43-10-2, 21 KOs) and Sherman "The Tank" Williams (34-11-2, 19 KOs) in a 12-round championship fight on Jan. 22. In the meantime, there's a lot to do, including construction of the ring and stadium-style seating in the Greenbrier's Colonial Hall and a training area next door in the Chesapeake Room.

"This prize fight will not just be your everyday average prize fight," Justice said. "It will be Evander Holyfield, Sherman Williams, Mike Tyson and black tie."

Yes, Mike Tyson. He's not on the card, but Justice confirmed Tyson will be in attendance for the event.

"That'll be an extra draw for a lot of people," Justice said. "They'll be able to enjoy seeing Mike Tyson there. We just get calls every day from different people, celebrities, whatever that are wanting to come. It'll be a big event.

"I'm hopeful (Tyson's) just going to come and watch. I hope he'll be kind enough to say hello to a lot of people and everything."

Besides preparing seating, a ring and training area, Justice said staff will construct a VIP section and make sure closed-circuit television is ready as the fight will be broadcast as a pay-per-view event.

"It'll be an event," Justice said. "That's what The Greenbrier is all about. I think The Greenbrier is a brand to itself, the class of the class. That's what we want it to be."

Justice said the hall can seat 1,012 people for the event, but many more have inquired about attending.

"The demand for tickets is more than the amount of people we can put in there," he said.

The fight will be hosted in conjunction with ARK Promotions and will feature "world class boxing and entertainment; showcasing a production that includes high-energy music presented by Broadway performers, along with dancers and aerial artists," according to the organization's news release provided to The Register-Herald.

The entertainment portion will feature Broadway's Brandon Victor Dixon, who will perform a Ray Charles version of "America," as well as saxophone player Clarence Clemons, best known as part of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.

There will be five or six fights prior to the headlining Holyfield fight, which is expected to start at approximately 11 p.m.

Justice said he's excited to have the renown boxer at America's Resort in his quest to regain his heavyweight title.

"When you think about Evander Holyfield you think about a class guy who's a warrior," he said. "He is an absolute warrior. That's for sure.

"This is not just fun and games for him. He's on a mission. He really is very sincere and very committed to making a run at winning the heavyweight championship back and who's to say he can't do it?"

For tickets and hotel packages, visit www.greenbrier.com or call 1-800-453-4858. Deadline to book reservations is Jan. 21.

- E-mail: nbrockman @register-herald.com

Redemption In America presented by ARK Promotions in association with The Greenbrier, will be distributed in North America by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET 6 PM/PT

on both cable and satellite pay per view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, Avail-TVN and DISH Network in the United States, as well as Viewer's Choice and Shaw PPV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

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http://www.viddler.com/explore/njreese584/videos/56/
Evander Holyfield Redemption in America

Evander Holyfield Redemption in America Pay-Per-View Event Favorite

Evander Holyfield Redemption in America Pay-Per-View Event Favorite http://www.viddler.com/explore/njreese584/videos/56 - http://www.metacafe.com/watch/5760058/redemption_in_america_evander_holyfield/ Evander Holyfield vs Sherman Williams Pay-Per-View Event on January 22 at Greebrier Resort Sulphur Springs W.Va