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 ...

Mike Tyson Mike Tyson: King of the Heavyweights Undisputed Title Defences 16th October 1987, Convention Hall, Atlantic City Mike Tyson Vs Tyrell Biggs 'Iron' Mike Tyson stepped into the ring for the first time as the unified champion. His opponent was ranked number one by the WBA and IBF. Tyrell Biggs won the Olympic Super-heavyweight gold medal in Los Angeles in 1984, beating top amateurs such as Canada's Lennox Lewis and Italy's Francesco Damiani along the way. He turned professional in November 1984, beating Mike Evans on points. He beat former title challengers James Tillis, Renaldo Snipes both by decision and stopped David Bey. However, in the Bey bout, which was on the undercard of Tyson Vs James Smith, Biggs suffered a nasty cut which required thirty-two stitches. Four months later Biggs was back in action against Lorenzo Boyd, stopping his man in the third round. He next entered the ring awaiting the arrival of the cham...