Boxing icon Evander Holyfield is scheduled to appear alongside former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in South Carolina on Wednesday. The event is in support of Republican Senate candidate Darline Graham, who is seeking to win the seat formerly held by her late brother, Lindsey Graham.
The appearance marks another instance of Trump enlisting high-profile athletes to boost Republican efforts in the midterm elections. Last Tuesday, NASCAR driver Richard Petty accompanied Trump at a rally in North Carolina.
Trump and Holyfield share a long-standing friendship, dating back to Trump's business career in New York. In 2021, Trump and his son, Donald Jr., provided commentary for a Triller Fight Club pay-per-view boxing match that featured Holyfield's return to the ring against Vitor Belfort. Despite Holyfield's boxing legacy, that bout ended in a technical knockout loss for the former heavyweight champion.
Holyfield, 64, is a native of the South, born in Alabama and raised in Georgia. He is widely recognized for his heavyweight championship titles and his notable bouts against Mike Tyson. Trump, a well-known boxing enthusiast, previously hosted numerous boxing matches at his Atlantic City casinos during the 1980s and 1990s.
The rally in Clemson aims to rally support for Darline Graham, who was appointed to fill her brother's Senate seat following his death in June. Trump has been a vocal supporter of Graham, endorsing her appointment and backing her in a special primary.
South Carolina has historically been a strong Republican state, with Trump winning it by a significant margin in the last presidential election. The former president is scheduled to hold additional campaign rallies in Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, and Texas in the coming days as Republicans work to maintain control of Congress.