Boxer Evan Holyfield believes that CBD can help athletes with more than just recovery

The children of famous athletes are often not doing well when they follow in their parents’ footsteps. Evan Holyfield is fighting his way out of this stigma.

The son of boxing legend Evander, Evan tried several other sports before deciding to step into the square ring. It didn’t take long for the 24-year-old to make a name for himself in the light heavyweight division.

He is 8-0 in his career so far, with six KO wins. His sixth came last October when he knocked down Charles Stanford in the second round in an “incredible way,” as described by ESPN.

Just days before his final knockout, the electric fighter announced a partnership with The Georgia Hemp Company. Both are based in Atlanta, Georgia and are passionate about CBD. Their partnership has evolved around the potential of CBD to aid athletes with preparatory, preventive health and recovery.

Before the partnership, Holyfield was already experimenting with CBD as a recovery method. He firmly believes that CBD products can help him and other athletes around the world.

Holyfield uses CBD products during exercise and for recovery after fighting. (Courtesy of the Athelo Group)

“I’m very proud,” said Holyfield of the partnership. “As an athlete, it is incredibly important to me that I use products that are natural and that help me take my career to the next level.”

While continuing to work in the ring and cannabis field, Evan is far from in anyone’s shadow. As his own man, he has already left several marks and stirred up the old stigma of famous descendants in smoke.

Evan recently spoke to Leafly about his father’s legacy, building his own, and why he chose to partner with The Georgia Hemp Company.

Mehka King: How did the deal with The Georgia Hemp Company come about?

Evan Holyfield: My team and I have always been interested in the recovery process. And The Georgia Hemp Company really is the perfect partner because not only are they a local company from my hometown, but they also make a ton of high quality CBD products that I can use to help my body recover while exercising, or after one Struggle.

MK: How do you use CBD products to help you recover? Is it for post fight pain relief? Do you use it during exercise?

EH: I use [it] both in training and after a fight. The faster I can recover, the faster I can get back in the ring and keep working to do my best.

Holyfield is one of many combat fighters who prefer CBD to medicinal products. (Courtesy of the Athelo Group)

MK: Many young boxers and MMA fighters are looking for alternative medications such as CBD for pain relief and recovery. What made you start looking for CBD products?

EH: CBD is a healthier, more natural way to maintain my body when it comes to pain relief and recovery. There is not the reliability that can come with drugs that I really care about.

MK: What made you get into boxing? Being the kid of a boxing legend has to come with some pressure. How do you deal with the pressure that comes with being Evander’s son?

EH: What really got me into boxing was feeling like I wanted to master a skill and do something for myself. I also wanted to be unique and although my dad is very well versed in boxing, I feel like I am leaving my own individual legacy in the sport. And it helped me find out who I am as a person.

MK: How much did your father influence your move to boxing? Have you seen one of his games?

EH: My dad didn’t necessarily influence me to box, but I saw the man boxing made him and that definitely influenced me. I saw a lot of his struggles grow up and continue to do so to this day. My favorite fights that I’ve learned from are his footage from the Olympics and his fights against Dwight Muhammad Qawi as a professional!

MK: They recently had a great game in Atlanta at the State Farm Arena. What was it like fighting on such a big stage? How was it to get the win that evening?

EH: It was exciting to land a fight on ESPN. I feel like we all dream of it as a kid, but having it become a reality in my hometown in front of my friends and family has been a real blessing. Victory that evening meant the world to me, especially on my birthday.

MK: How do you prepare for fights?

EH: I prepare for fights like I’ve always done since the amateur days. I start by getting myself right spiritually. Then it’s about using nutrition to prepare my body for performance. On game day, I play video games all day until I fight!

At 24, Holyfield had already defeated the idea that his father’s legacy would overshadow his own. (Courtesy of the Athelo Group)

MK: You will be attending the upcoming Discovery Channel + Show Legacy – what is the concept of the show and how will you be introduced?

EH: Legacy shows the experiences of young athletes trying to follow or step out of the shadows of their star athlete parents. It shows the pressure that comes with the territory. My dad and I are both on the show together.

MK: Who are your favorite fighters of all time?

EH: Some of my favorite fighters of all time, besides my father, are Manny Pacquiao, Ricardo López, Ray Leonard, Ray Robinson, Marco Antonio Barrera, Pernell Whitaker, Chocolatito Gonzalez, Tim Bradley and Juan Manuel Márquez. From all of them I took small pieces with me that I worked into my own craft as a boxer.

MK: Do you see yourself as one of the new faces in boxing?

EH: I can imagine becoming one of the new faces in boxing as long as I stay determined and focused in the gym. I always say to myself: ‘Don’t dwell in the past, because yesterday’s meal never satiated me for the next day.’

Mehka king

Mehka King has spent his professional career as a journalist and content creator. Since 2017, he has interviewed cannabis activists, politicians, business leaders, athletes and entertainers about their views on cannabis for the CashColorCannabis.com network.

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