Ahh, the wonderful world of boxing.

What other sport would allow a 46-year-old guy who hasn't competed in more than a year an opportunity to win a world championship?

Such is the case with Evander Holyfield, who will step into the ring against Nikolay Valuev in an attempt to take away the latter's WBAheavyweight title Dec. 20 in Switzerland.

Holyfield is attempting to become the first five-time heavyweight champ in boxing history, as well the oldest to hold a title.

He has earned neither distinction.

Clearly, Holyfield once was a great fighter. But he hasn't held a title in seven years and he hasn't fought since October 2007. And he isn't even ranked among the top 15 by anybody.

In fact, Holyfield's boxing license in New York was revoked three years ago and he had to pass five hours of medical testing last week just to prove he was fit enough to step back into the ring.

This is a joke.

Things like this are why Butler's Brian Minto is having such a hard time finding a fellow ranked opponent.

Valuev says Holyfield was his idol and he's always dreamed of stepping into the ring with him.

Yeah, sure.

This is an easier title defense for Valuev than facing any of the following prospective opponents, all ranked among the top 15 by the WBA:

n Kali Meehan, 35-3, 29 knockouts, fought twice this year and scored second- and third-round KO's.

• Alexander Dimitrenko, 29-0, fought twice this year, scoring third- and fifth-round KO's.

• Kevin Johnson, 21-0, fought three times this year, winning by unanimous decision, scoring third- and fifth-round KO's.

• Chris Arreola, 25-0, 22 KO's, fought three times this year, scoring KO's in the third and first rounds, and winning by disqualification in the third round vs. unbeaten Chazz Witherspoon.

• Denis Boytsov, 23-0 with 18 KO's, who has fought four times this year.

• Minto, 32-2 with 21 KO's, having fought three times this year, winning by first-round KO twice and by a fourth-round KO in his last fight.

What right does Holyfield have leapfrogging over all of the above and others?When George Foreman regained the heavyweight title at age 45, he was an active fighter, knocking out numerous foes to prove he was worthy of a title shot.

Holyfield has done none of that. In fact, his own manager admitted he wouldn't be taking this fight if it wasn't for the title.

Holyfield's goal is to win this Dec. 20 bout, then try to unify the title in multi-million dollar fights against the Klitschko brothers, Vitali and Wladimir, who hold the other four championship belts.

All Holyfield's doing is taking a big payday away from some other more deserving fighter.

And boxing lets it happen, which proves it's all about the money.

It certainly isn't about what's right.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle.