Photo: Getty Images
Former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield appeared alongside President Donald Trump at a South Carolina rally Wednesday (October 21), where Trump later praised an attendee who appeared to punch a heckler by comparing him to Holyfield.
According to The Independent, Trump was discussing his administration's immigration crackdown at the Pendleton, South Carolina, rally and calling for the removal of “career criminals” when the incident occurred.
After a commotion broke out in the crowd, the president told security to remove the heckler before reacting enthusiastically to the incident.
“Wow. Thank you. That was great,” Trump said, according to video footage cited by The Independent.
Trump then asked the crowd who had thrown the punch before addressing the person he believed was responsible.
“You know, you reminded me of Evander ‘The Real Deal’ Holyfield,” Trump said.
Trump also insulted the heckler's appearance, calling him “a very unattractive looking guy” as he continued discussing the incident.
Holyfield appeared onstage earlier in the rally and expressed support for Trump.
“First of all, I'm thankful to be here and I'd like to thank Donald Trump,” Holyfield said. “Every time I fought, I fought to win, and he gave me the opportunity, and I'm so happy for him to be our president.”
The Independent reported that police intervened and escorted the heckler from the event. The available footage does not clearly establish every detail of the physical altercation.
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