Evander Holyfield will forever be etched into the annals of boxing history.
The standout achievements of the American’s great career were becoming undisputed cruiserweight champion then moving up into the banner division and repeating the accomplishment. That record was unmatched for more than 25 years until this May when Ukraine’s pound-for-pound great Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury.
In his time, Holyfield fought the likes of Riddick Bowe, Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson. He fought ‘Iron’ Mike twice, in fact, winning by TKO in the 11th round of the first fight in 1996 and then by disqualification in the second fight after Tyson infamously bit a chunk out of his ear.
‘The Real Deal’ also had two fights with Lewis – a controversial draw and a loss – as well as a thrilling trilogy with Riddick Bowe in which he only managed one win out of three. None of the above gave him his toughest fight, according to the man himself.
Speaking to Dontaes Boxing Nation, that honour was given to Dwight Muhammad Qawi, who he fought in 1987.
“I would say Riddick Bowe but Dwight Muhammad Qawi. The reason why it was so tough was it 15 rounds and I had only done eight. I knew what he could do. I seen he was a mean guy, he don’t let up on nobody. His stature didn’t match up how he fought. His arm reach was longer than my arm reach. I was fighting a guy shorter than me, arms longer than mine, real strong guy, good fighter. He was older and he was smarter. I had a lot to overcome and I did.”
Qawi was known for his relentless pressure fighting and remarkable success in both the light heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions, capturing world titles in both during the eighties. The fight with Holyfield was a close affair, with neither man touching the canvas before ‘The Real Deal’ took it via split decision after fifteen hard rounds.
After beating Qawi, Holyfield fought only once more at cruiserweight when he beat Carlos de León in 1988 before moving up and beginning his historic run at heavyweight.
