FAIRBURN, Ga. -- Evander Holyfield has held a Main Event weekend to raise money for his charitable foundation for the past eight years. But the guest list is more impressive this year, as it coincides with the NBA All-Star game coming to Holyfield's hometown.
Grammy-nominee Ashanti and the R&B group B2K are among headliners performing at a benefit concert Friday at the Georgia World Congress Center. Other artists include Baby of Cash Money Millionaires, Fat Joe, Jadakiss and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.
It's one of several celebrity bashes going on this weekend, but Holyfield hopes people will go to his for a good cause. The concert, along with a dinner at his Faiburn estate and a gospel brunch, are all aimed at raising money for a $20 million youth center Holyfield plans to build in southwest Atlanta.
"Sometimes, it takes other people to stir up your gift," the former four-time heavyweight champion said. "That thought to start a foundation came from reflecting back as a kid on how the Boys Club gave me an opportunity. I lived in a poor community but when I went to the Boys Club, the director and so many staff members inspired kids to reach goals."
NBA vice president of community relations Kathy Behrens said athletes and celebrities often plan charity events around the All-Star game, which is expected to attract thousands to Atlanta this weekend.
"It happens in every city," she said. "People come from all over the world for this event and if that experience can be used for good causes, that's all the better."
Financially, a youth center is a formidable challenge, says Jeff Hoffman, a Holyfield Foundation board member.
"We usually don't seek the high-profile but what we have on our side is Evander Holyfield," he said. "Instead of a fee, he'll ask for a donation for the foundation. That's how he is."
Another board member, Ken Schick of HBO Sports, said this weekend's events are "based on Evander's vision of giving back."
"I realized that even though my mother's my hero and the one who taught me to follow directions, to listen and not to quit, she still didn't have the money," said Holyfield, the youngest of nine. He formed the foundation in 1991, after winning his first heavyweight title.
In addition to the center, proceeds from the weekend events will go to the Holyfield Scholarship program, the Georgia Amateur Boxing Association, the Quick Silver Track Club and the American Association of Adapted Sports Program (AAASP).
While still boxing, Holyfield owns a record label and a clothing line and is a principal owner of the cable network MBC.
"Once boxing is over, you don't retire, you just move on," Holyfield said.
Holyfield, 40, says he won't quit boxing until he regains his title.
"I'm a living testimony. If you don't quit you'll eventually get there," he said. "I don't have to prove anything to the world ... Your ending is where you chose to stop. Anybody can stay long enough to be a contender."
Holyfield, who has a record of 38-6-2, has won just two of his past seven fights. In December, he lost to Chris Byrd.
On the Net:
http://www.evanderholyfield.com
http://nba.com/allstar2003/
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