The Boxing History Blog

Evander Holyfield On 19th September 1998, a month shy of his thirty-sixth birthday, Evander Holyfield defended his IBF and WBA heavyweight titles. He faced top International Boxing Federation contender Vaughn Bean, who was outpointed by then IBF champion Michael Moorer by majority decision in March 1997. Holyfield, fighting in front of his hometown fans in Atlanta, looked to be an old fighter at times. Many believed that Bean wouldn't give too many problems, as the man had only fought eight fighters with a winning record. Holyfield had to draw on all his experience to overcome Bean, who he knocked down in the tenth round as he ran out a unanimous decision 117-110 (twice) and 116-111 winner. Seven days later, Lennox Lewis, the WBC heavyweight champion negated twelve rounds against his mandatory contender Zeliko Mavrovic, winning by scores of 119-109, 117-112 and 117-111. The victory over the Croatian set up a unification battle against Evander Holyfield at the Mecca of

Evander Holyfield After his first stoppage defeat at the hands of Riddick Bowe in November 1995, Holyfield returned to the ring on the same bill as the Lennox Lewis Vs Ray Mercer bout on 10th May 1996. Bobby Czyz, born in Orange New York in 1962, was Holyfield's opponent. He turned professional as a middleweight, beating Hank Whitmore in the first round on 24th April 1980. Czyz lost his unbeaten record via a ten-round unanimous decision to Mustafa Hamsho. After his next contest he campaigned as a super-middleweight in 1983, then in 1984 moved up again to light-heavyweight. In 1986 he challenged the undefeated IBF light-heavyweight champion Slobodan Kacar, knocking him out in the fifth round to take the belt. He made three successful defences, before retiring in nine rounds to 'Prince' Charles Williams in October 1987. He dropped to 32-3 when he lost his next bout to Dennis Andries. Two wins later he lost to WBA light-heavyweight champion Vigil Hill by

Evander Holyfield  Evander Holyfield Vs Alex Stewart II After his first defeat to Riddick Bowe, Evander Holyfield contemplated retirement saying “I don’t want to box for a very long time.” He did however return to the ring on 26th June 1993 against Alex Stewart. Holyfield struggled with Stewart the last time they met, but under new trainer Emanuel Steward, Holyfield tipped the scales at his heaviest ever. The contest wasn't as exciting as their previous meeting and Holyfield won the bout by scores of 119-109 and two cards of 118-110. Alex Stewart won his next seven contests in a three-year period. He was stopped in the eighth round by Craig Petersen in November 1996. His career petered out losing to Oleg Maskaev, Phil Jackson and Lance Whitaker. His final bout took place in June 1999 where he was stopped in the second round by the Cuban Jorge Luis Gonzalez, leaving the sport with a 43-10 (40 KO's) resume. Stewart died on 16th November 2016, aged fifty-two