GENEVA — Evander Holyfield is getting another chance at a heavyweight title.

The 46-year-old former champion will challenge 7-foot Russian giant Nikolai Valuev for the WBA crown on Dec. 20 at Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland, arena management said.

Holyfield (42-9-2, 27 KOs) hasn't fought since losing a one-sided decision to then-WBO champion Sultan Ibragimov more than a year ago. Holyfield is winless in his last four title fights since beating John Ruiz for the vacant WBA belt in October 2000.

The former Olympic bronze medalist has insisted that he wants to keep fighting until he regains the heavyweight title, but he's also been having financial problems.

Holyfield agreed in October to give his 10-year-old son a $100,000 college fund while facing the threat of possible jail time and an auction on his home. Last summer, he failed to make three straight $3,000 monthly child-support payments.

The 330-pound Valuev — once referred to as the "Beast from the East" but now preferring "The Russian Giant" — won a unanimous decision over Ruiz in August to claim the vacant WBA crown.

Valuev (49-1, 34 KOs) told the Zurich tabloid Blick on Thursday that he was excited to face Holyfield.

"I'm taking this fight very seriously," Valuev said. "Holyfield is a strong opponent. ... Ten years ago I would not have dreamed of getting into the ring with this champion."

The fight will be the biggest in Zurich since 1971, when Muhammad Ali knocked out Juergen Blin of Germany in the seventh round.

Holyfield's bid for the title is not unprecedented. George Foreman was also 46 when he last defended the IBF heavyweight title in 1995, defeating Axel Schulz. Foreman was stripped of the title shortly after for not granting a rematch.