Former two-weight world champion Evander Holyfield has said that recent comments from Vitali Klitschko will not deter him from a title shot.
Klitschko had said that both he and his brother Wladimir, who hold four of the six heavyweight world titles, would not fight 49-year-old Holyfield out of respect.
Holyfield has not held a recognised title for over 12 years but has remained adamant that he will be world champion again. He has not been deterred by the Klitschkos' stance.
"If that's what they choose to do then that's what they choose to do, everyone has their own opinion as to what's important to them," Holyfield told World Boxing News.
Asked it a fight against the only other title holder, WBA champion Alexander Povetkin, would be a possibility, Holyfield said: "If he would like to fight, yes. I am not looking to fight anyone else other than a champion.
"I won't consider any eliminators, I just want to fight for the title."
Holyfield won his last two contests, against Francois Botha and Brian Nielsen respectively.
His last title fight was against Nikolai Valuev in 2010, which he lost on a controversial majority decision.
Daniel Cross
