Michael Moorer was one of the top heavyweight talents of the 1990s alongside the likes of George Foreman and Evander Holyfield.
Brooklyn-born but Pittsburgh-raised, he had a solid amateur career before turning pro in 1988 and just nine months later he won the first ever WBO world light heavyweight title. He held on to it for the next two years, stopping all nine of his challengers before moving in weight.
He soon became the first southpaw heavyweight champion when he beat Bert Cooper for the WBO belt before going on to beat unified heavyweight champion Holyfield in 1994 by a close majority decision.
He lost to 45-year-old Foreman in his next outing when he looked in total control of the contest. Moorer was well up on the scorecards going into the tenth round but got caught flush on the chin by ‘Big George’ and was unable to beat the 10 count. Foreman still holds the record of oldest heavyweight champion at 45 years and 360 days old.
He then recaptured the IBF belt by beating Axel Schulz in Germany in 1996 and defended it twice before taking a rematch with Holyfield. This time ‘The Real Deal’ would get his revenge when the ringside doctor advised the referee to stop proceedings in the eighth round with Moorer having been knocked down five times in the contest.
Having faced two of the biggest legends in the sport, when asked by The Ring Magazine who was the best, Moorer chose Holyfield.
“I feel that Evander was the best that I faced, because he was always at his peak. When you are at your peak, you are always ready for everything and anything that is put before you. Evander always came ready.
I feel that he would have to be the best one that I fought, because he would always get himself in the best shape possible for any fight. He was always that guy. If he did not beat you the first time, he would beat you the second time.”
Holyfield faced the likes of Riddick Bowe, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, James Toney and George Foreman himself during his illustrious career before hanging up the gloves in 2011.
