Holyfield wants R500 000

Berman had hoped to lure Holyfield to South Africa, but the 48-year-old American wanted too much money to fight at Emperors Palace near Johannesburg.

"I'm always willing to pay a fair price, but these guys are in another ballpark," Berman said on his company's website.

"Frankly, I would be surprised if any other promoter would accept those demands.

"Had I agreed, ringside seats would have cost in the order of R5 000; a ridiculous amount for the South African market."

Reports suggested that Holyfield's legal team had requested a R500 000 purse, but Berman was willing to offer no more than R200 000 to bring the former undisputed world champion to the African continent for the first time.

"Of course we would have loved to get Holyfield, who remains a big draw," Berman said.

"Emperors Palace wanted him too, but no matter which way we played with the numbers, it was a high-risk bet, and none of us wanted to lose."

Berman had not named a possible opponent for the American veteran. But the door remains open for heavyweight Francois Botha to promote a Holyfield fight himself.

Botha said last month he was hoping to face Holyfield in Durban later this year through his own company, White Buffalo Promotions.

Golden Gloves, meanwhile, said IBO super-middleweight champion Thomas Oosthuizen would defend his title against American Aaron Pryer Jr in Biloxi, Mississippi, on September 3.

"I've made it very clear that this is his (Oosthuizen's) chance to shine," Berman said.