The Boxing History Blog

13th March 1999, Madison Square Garden, New York Undisputed Heavyweight Title Evander Holyfield (WBA & IBF Champion) Vs Lennox Lewis (WBC Champion) This was the first time since 1993 the boxing world had an undisputed world heavyweight title bout. Holyfield, at thirty-six, was the slight betting favourite and had been in many high-profile contests, compared to Lewis, who was taking part in the biggest fight of his career.  The WBA and IBF champion was in confident mood during the build-up, saying: "No one is dangerous to me. Not that he's a bad fighter, but Lennox's chances of winning are slim. He just happens to be fighting a guy in his prime who is anointed to win." Holyfield even uncharacteristically called the round he thought he would win. "Predictions are for the weathermen. I have confidence in the word of God. I'm not predicting, I'm telling you: I will knock him out in the third round. Whatever way I do it," he continued, "whether w...

Lennox Lewis hired the services of long-time admirer and Kronk Gym legendary trainer Emanuel Steward, the man working in the opposite corner the night he lost his WBC heavyweight title to Oliver McCall. Lewis next fought on 13th May 1995 at California's Arco Arena. His opponent was Lionel Butler, rated one place behind Lewis in the WBC rankings at number three. Butler didn't have the greatest starts to his paid career, dropping a four-round decision to Phil Jackson in February 1989 and a month later Riddick Bowe, making his professional debut, stopped him in two rounds. Butler continued his win/lose streak, losing a ten-round points decision to Oliver McCall in July 1990, dropping to 5-7-1 with one stoppage to his name. After losing for the tenth time in April 1991 to Kevin Ford, Butler went on a run of 16-0, including a first-round knockout of Tony Tubbs in August 1992 and a third-round stoppage of James 'Bonecrusher' Smith in August 1994, before facing Lewis in a titl...