Cruiserweight and heavyweight legend Evander Holyfield conquered boxing giants like Mike Tyson and [/tag]George Foreman[/tag].
Holyfield’s journey in the sport began with an Olympic Bronze medal in 1984. He then dominated the cruiserweight division when he turned over to the pro game, capturing all three major belts in just 18 fights. He would move up to heavyweight and repeat the feat.
His rise to becoming the first undisputed champion in both divisions is all the more impressive considering the formidable opponents he faced.
‘The Real Deal’s victories over icons like Larry Holmes and Ray Mercer solidified his status, but his two triumphs over Mike Tyson are standouts, and his personal favourite.
He stopped the ferocious puncher in their first encounter and won the rematch by disqualification after the infamous ear-biting incident. Years earlier, Holyfield defeated George Foreman by unanimous decision.
In a recent interview with Mail Sport, Holyfield shared his belief that Tyson would have emerged victorious against Foreman had they ever clashed in the ring.
Although a fight between them was briefly considered in the late eighties after Foreman’s return from retirement, it never materialised. Foreman, aiming to reclaim the heavyweight title, moved on from the match-up when Tyson was unexpectedly knocked out by Buster Douglas in 1990.
‘Big’ George then challenged Holyfield – who beat Douglas – for the belts in 1991 but fell short, eventually securing the IBF and WBA titles against Michael Moorer in 1994 to become the divisions oldest ever champion.
Tyson – who recently returned to the ring to face Jake Paul – says Foreman is the one man he regrets not fighting. Very few fans would be backing the fight to go the distance, with Foreman’s thudding shots and solid chin up against Tyson’s blistering fast hooks and angles.
