WASHINGTON — Boxing legend Evander Holyfield will fly to South Carolina with President Trump on Wednesday afternoon as Republicans try to deliver a knockout punch in the midterm election, The Post has learned.
The duo has a longtime friendship, going back to Trump’s days as a New York real estate tycoon. The president and his eldest son Don Jr. even served as guest commentators for the Triller Fight Club pay-per-view boxing match featuring Holyfield against Vitor Belfort in 2021.
“I love great fighters and great fights,” Trump said at the time.
Unfortunately, the bout didn’t go well for Holyfield, who came out of retirement as a last-minute replacement for Oscar De La Hoya, who had tested positive for COVID. He lost via technical knockout to Belfort.
Trump is a longtime boxing fan and hosted many matches in the 1980s and 1990s at his casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Holyfield, 64, is the former heavyweight champion and a native of the South, having been born in Alabama and raised in Georgia. He is best known for his two victories over Mike Tyson — including the infamous fight in which Tyson bit his ear.
Trump will be hosting a campaign rally in Clemson for Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC) in her quest to win her late brother Lindsey Graham’s seat outright. She was appointed to the job after his death in June.
The president has been one of her staunchest supporters from the start, having supported her appointment and then backed her in a special primary where she faced several Republican opponents who had more experience.
While Lindsey Graham was expected to be easily re-elected, his death upended the contest. His sister has faced questions about whether she has the experience for the job.
Still, the state has been a longtime GOP stronghold. Trump won it by almost 18 points in the presidential election.
The president is doing a campaign rally a day this week as he tries to keep his Republican Party in control of Congress. He’s been bringing along A-list athletes for the ride. NASCAR driver Richard Petty joined him in North Carolina on Tuesday.
Trump will head to Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Texas over the next several days.
