Holyfield says he will be happy to promote boxing in India

Five-time world champion and Olympic bronze-medallist Indian woman boxer M C Mary Kom has a new admirer in American legend Evander Holyfield, who says he follows her exploits and finds her achievements great.

"Yes, I follow her. She is a great girl. I find her great because it is amazing how this young woman in India is into boxing which is considered an American game. It's great that she is doing well," the former Undisputed World Champion told PTI outside the Parliament while participating in pre-Christmas celebrations for an NGO.

Mary Kom, a Khel Ratna awardee, is currently taking a break from the ring after giving birth to her third child earlier this year.

The 30-year-old Manipuri was once described as 'Magnificent Mary' by the International Boxing Association (AIBA).

Holyfield, a former professional star who won the 1984 Olympics' heavyweight bronze medal, does take interest in Indian boxing.

During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he sat through the sem-ifinal bout of Vijender Singh, who went on to become India's first boxing medallist in the quadrennial extravaganza.

Asked if he would promote boxing in India, Holyfield said, "Nobody has asked me to do that but if somebody asks me, I will be happy to do it."