PORTLAND – Evander Holyfield made a special trip to Maine to visit a young, comatose boxer.

Ben Ellis, 17, of the western Maine town of Mexico, has been in a coma since May, when he underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor. His family asked for Holyfield to visit through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Holyfield, a three-time world heavyweight boxing champion, held hands with Ellis’ family at Mercy Hospital and prayed for him. He shared boxing stories and signed autographs for about three hours on Monday.

“Everyone always thinks of themselves, but true love is when you think of other people,” Holyfield said. “I was helped when I didn’t have anything. I was helped when I was struggling. It’s my turn to give back.”

Ben Ellis loves boxing, his family said.