The Boxing History Blog

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 The only undisputed cruiserweight & undisputed heavyweight champion 25th October 1990, The Mirage Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada Undisputed Heavyweight Title James 'Buster' Douglas Vs Evander Holyfield Douglas Vs Holyfield In Tokyo on 11th February 1990 the undisputed number one heavyweight contender watched the 42-1 outsider James 'Buster' Douglas knock out 'Iron' Mike Tyson in ten rounds to become the new undisputed champion of the world. Evander Holyfield's dream match in June against Tyson was now wishful thinking thanks to 'Buster's' right uppercut. Douglas then became embroiled in a long legal battle with Don King over a contract dispute. Douglas claimed that King breached their contract when he tried to get the Tyson victory overturned. They settled out of court, with King having the rights to stage a Douglas-Tyson rematch, but first, the new champion had to face his mandatory contender....

Evander Holyfield  Chasing Tyson After beating Carlos De Leon in April 1988 to become undisputed cruiserweight champion, Evander Holyfield put on twelve pounds and stepped up to the heavyweight division. His first opponent was James 'Quick' Tllis. The bout took place on 16th July 1988 in Las Vegas. Tillis' first loss came in a WBA heavyweight title challenge to Mike Weaver, losing a fifteen round unanimous decision in October 1981. He suffered his second loss to future WBC champion Pinklon Thomas, losing in the eighth round in August 1982. He was stopped in the same round three months later by Greg Page in a USBA heavyweight title match. Four wins got him a shot at the vacant NABF championship against Tim Witherspoon. The bout took place on 23 September 1983. Witherspoon wasted no time in picking up the vacant belt, needing only two-minutes and 16 seconds of the very first round. He won another four fights, but dropped a ten round unanimous decision t...