Former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield joined former President Donald Trump on the campaign trail in South Carolina on Wednesday as part of Republican efforts ahead of the midterm elections. The pair traveled to Clemson, where Trump held a rally supporting Sen. Darline Graham, a Republican candidate seeking election to the seat previously held by her late brother, Lindsey Graham, who passed away in July.
Holyfield and Trump share a longstanding personal connection that dates back to Trump’s career as a New York real estate developer. The two have worked together publicly before, notably during the Triller Fight Club boxing event in 2021, where Trump and his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., served as guest commentators. That event featured Holyfield, who came out of retirement on short notice to replace Oscar De La Hoya, who withdrew after testing positive for COVID-19. Holyfield ultimately lost the bout by technical knockout to mixed martial artist Vitor Belfort.
At Wednesday’s rally, Trump aimed to energize support for Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed to her late brother’s Senate seat earlier this year and is now campaigning to retain it in the upcoming election. The event emphasized the Republican Party’s efforts to maintain or expand its influence in key contests ahead of the midterms. Holyfield’s presence was a notable element in the campaign, reflecting the former president’s appeal to a range of public figures to bolster Republican candidates.