EXCLUSIVE: Evander Holyfield Clashes With Dr. Phil, Cancels Appearance
Feb. 22 2010, Published 7:35 a.m. ET
Former world champion boxer Evander Holyfield has delivered a ratings blow to Dr. Phil McGraw by refusing to go on his talk show to discuss his troubled marriage, RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively.
EXCLUSIVE: Evander Holyfield and Wife Arrive in L.A. To Meet with Dr. Phil
Over the weekend, Evander and his wife Candi Holyfield were flown first class from Georgia to Los Angeles by the show’s producers and put up at the Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood.
But a private meeting between the couple and Dr. Phil at the host's Beverly Hills mansion to discuss the format of their interview quickly turned into a disaster. “The truth is Evander did not like Dr. Phil and what he was proposing," the source said.
“He felt he was totally man-bashing him. Despite all of Dr. Phil’s assurances there was a big clash of personalities and Evander simply didn’t want to do it."
Evander Holyfield's Wife Requests Restraining Order
The Holyfields were also allegedly put off by Dr. Phil's wife Robin who, "was floating around the house entertaining other guests inside their massive mansion" according to the source.
The Holyfields' problems began earlier this month when Candi asked for a protective order, claiming Evander hit her during an argument over the temperature in their Georgia mansion. Candi has since asked for the order to be lifted.
Read The Restraining Order Request
After the talks went south, producers from Dr. Phil bombarded Evander and his camp with calls begging him to reconsider doing the show.
“The truth is there was no big money deal on the table," the source added. "Evander and his camp were simply trying to rebuild his image after the media fallout from his fight with Candi.
“He’s not the type of guy who likes to feel bullied or intimidated and he felt that was what Dr. Phil was trying to do and that it wouldn’t help his marriage one iota."
For now, the boxing legend is headed to Las Vegas where he will do some promotional work while Candi will head back to Georgia with their children.