NBC mistake Evander Holyfield for casual American tourist...

American boxing legend Evander Holyfield was left stunned on Monday when NBC, who have exclusive rights to the Olympic Games coverage in the U.S, mistook him for a casual American tourist.

A reporter for the Today Show stood outside Buckingham Palace and questioned passers by on their opinions of Queen Elizabeth's opening ceremony stint with Daniel Craig as James Bond. Holyfield only appeared on the screen for a few seconds and said that he thought that the Queen's role in the video was "wonderful." Nobody from NBC or the Today Show realised that it was actually one of the greatest boxers that ever lived. 

The 49-year old tweeted a day later about the incident: 'The @todayshow did interview me yesterday and ur right they didn't mention who I was.' 

He later added: 'Look, the @todayshow did a good job. It was to recognize with the baseball cap. This could happen to any reporter. LOL!!" 

Holyfield is a former Olympic bronze medallist and cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion as a pro, so its very surprising that he wasn't recognised. Especially as he is American! I could understand if the American reporter didn't recognise somebody like Frank Bruno or Herbie Hide, but this is Holyfield. One of the greatest boxers that ever lived, and probably the greatest heavyweight of recent times. 

Holyfield Vs Mercer! February 2013!

Evander Holyfield.

Former world heavyweight champions and boxing legends Evander Holyfiel and Ray Mercer will meet in the ring in an exhibition match at the start of next year.

Ray Mercer in his prime.

The event takes place on February 2nd 2013 and the idea of the whole show is that a whole bunch of famous "fighting" celebrities come together to put on a show in honour of former president Nelson Mandela. The show will take place on the date that Mandela was released from Robben Island.

The fight involving Holyfield, 49, and Mercer, 51, will only be four rounds and will not be a full-blown, hard-punching slugfest that you usually see in the heavyweight division. The 40-year old WBF champion Michael Grant and New Zealand rugby star Sonny Bill Williams, who is also a professional boxer, are also likely to be involved in the exhibition.

Despite rumours, the event will not be held on Robben Island as there are no suitable facilities available. It also isn't certain that the event will be held in Cape Town.

"I am negotiating with a number of organisations to find the most suitable venue," said Showpony CEO Damian Michael. "Cape Town has certain advantages because of it's proximity to Robben Island, but I'm also considering the Johannesburg area."

There will also be serious bouts on the show. English welterweight contender Matthew Hatton is set to fight an opponent that will be named in the near future.