MANSFIELD – Students at Mansfield ISD’s Alternative Education Center were ready to rumble early Tuesday. They received a visit from former Heavyweight Champ Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield.

“Life is all about believing. When somebody can get you to believe they can sell you,” Holyfield told the students.

One of the kids, Lamont Bufuku, gave Holyfield a portrait he made in his honor. “It felt pretty

“It felt pretty good because it was like the first artwork I had to present to actually someone. Usually, people just download it from my website or download artwork from my website so it felt pretty good,” Bufuku said.

Holyfield was simply looking to lift a few spirits Tuesday.

“Hopefully somebody will be able to hear the information and then be able to use it in a positive way.”

Mission accomplished Evander. You definitely left everyone feeling like champs.