Healed? Holyfield To Return -- Miracle Cure Claimed

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Evander Holyfield believes his heart damage has been cured by a faith healer and says he will try to resume his boxing career.

"Miracles happen," said Kathy Duva, Holyfield's publicist, when told of a front-page story in yesterday's Philadelphia Inquirer.

The story described Holyfield, a born-again Christian, attending three services last week at the Philadelphia Civic Center and having an Orlando, Fla., faith healer, Benny Hinn, lay hands on him and proclaim to 9,000 believers:

"The Lord is telling me right now He is repairing Holyfield's heart completely."

Holyfield, the 31-year-old two-time champion, retired days after losing the title to Michael Moorer when it was disclosed he had a non-compliant left ventricle that deprived the heart of adequate amounts of oxygen for strenuous activity. It also was discovered he had a "pinhole" in his heart.

Holyfield, the Inquirer reported, experienced "a warm feeling" go through his chest after Hinn touched him. The fighter collapsed into the arms of an usher, then lay on his back onstage.

He said he planned to seek the heavyweight title.

"I was searching for a reason to come back, but the right reason," he told the paper. "I know I can go back and win, but win for the Lord. I'm healed."