E. Holyfield faces V. Belfort on September 11th. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
For many, the legendary Evander Holyfield may need no introduction. However, for others who did not follow the peak of one of the greatest boxers of all time, it is worth remembering some of the athlete's moments. At 58 years old, the veteran comes out of retirement this Saturday (11) for a challenge against Vitor belfort in the rules of the 'noble art'.
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Willing to resume his career after more than 10 years of inactivity, Holyfield 'parachuted' into the super boxing challenge against Belfort. The multi-time heavyweight champion enters the show as a replacement for Oscar De La Hoya, who left the event after testing positive for Covid-19.
Without fighting since May 2011, Evander expressed his desire to return to the ring last season. The presentation of his biggest rival in sport, Mike Tyson, against Roy Jones Jr., ended up becoming the trigger for the almost 'sixty-year-old' to take his gloves out of the closet and get ready for a new confrontation.
Holyfield: before stardom
E. Holyfield and M. Tyson are two of the biggest names in boxing history. Photo: reproduction/Instagram
Before reaching stardom, filling gyms and arenas famous for hosting legends such as Muhammad Ali and Rocky Marciano, Holyfield was successful representing the United States. In 1983 and 1984, the then prospect wrote his name in the sporting history of his country.
In 1983, Evander went to Venezuela to compete in the Pan American Games. At the time, the boxer worked in the light heavyweight division, and he did well. Holyfield managed to reach the finals, but ended up losing the chance to win gold against Pablo Romero, thus taking silver.
The following year, a new show. In 1984, Evander joined the North American boxing committee with the dream of an Olympic medal for his country.
Controversial bronze at the 1984 Games
E. Holyfield displays the Olympic medal won in 1984. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
At the Summer Olympic Games, held in Los Angeles (USA), the boxer contributed to the United States finishing the competition in first place, with 174 medals in total.
Obviously, Holyfield represented the country in boxing and, just like at the Pan American Games, he played as a light heavyweight. The athlete, however, was the subject of a major controversy in the final stretch of the competition. In an attempt to reach the grand final, Evander faced New Zealander Kevin Barry and ended up disqualified after performing a blow that, according to the judges, was illegal. On that occasion, the combatant would have hit his rival after the bell sounded.
Evander's disqualification and consequent defeat left the athlete with bronze as a 'consolation prize'. Still, the fighter speaks with pride about the achievement. In 2015, in an interview with 'Inside the games', the legend spoke about the emotion of having represented his country.
“Making the US Olympic team was the best thing I ever did. (…) Every time I got into the ring, the entire audience was with me and shouting my name. It was the first time in my life that everyone was on my side. (…) The whole country was with me and I never had that feeling again”, said the fighter.
After the Olympic medal, the only thing left for the combatant was to look for the 'gold' in the career of a professional boxer: the belt – or belts.
Beginnings in professional boxing
Franzino, maybe. Weak? No way. At 1m89cm, Evander Holyfield began his professional boxing career at the age of 22. By the standards of the time, the athlete was considered short to exchange strength against rivals who could take advantage in size.
With physical strength and refined technique, the fighter ignored possible setbacks and began a victorious journey that would be honored with belts and recognition from fans.
In the early years, Evander was relentless. Devastating knockouts and convincing performances propelled the fighter to the top of the rankings.
The first victim in sport was Lionel Byarm. Against his rival, Holyfield emerged victorious on points in a fight that took place almost 37 years ago, in the famous 'Madison Square Garden'.
In August 1985, the boxer began an impressive streak. The knockout over Rick Myers was the kickoff to five more victories on the fast track. The dreamed belt would come the following year, at 23.
First title: cruiserweight
On June 12, 1986, Holyfield's life would change forever. After 11 consecutive victories, it was time to compete for his first WBA (World Boxing Association) title, still at cruiserweight (90,7kg).
The opponent was Dwight Muhammad, who, months earlier, had overcome Leon Spinks, famous for having beaten the legendary Ali, in 1978, in one of the biggest 'zebras' in boxing history. In the confrontation, victory for Evander in the judges' split decision.
Dwight's rematch would take place in December 1987. This time, no victory on points. With a knockout in the fourth round, Holyfield defeated his rival and retained his title.
Another belt
E. Holyfield is considered one of the best boxers of all time. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
In May 1987, Holyfield was scheduled to face the International Boxing Federation (IBF) cruiserweight world champion, Ricky Parkey. In the dispute, the athletes would put their titles on the line and the winner would take both belts.
Against Parkey, another knockout. With each performance, Evander evolved and now had two in different organizations, in addition to remaining undefeated in his career.
Holyfield at heavyweight
With a successful trajectory, until that moment, he remained undefeated and accepted another challenge: seeking the 'Continental Americas' belt from the World Boxing Confederation (WBC). The opponent of the day: Michael Dokes.
The confrontation took place in the famous 'Caesars Palace‘, in Nevada (USA). In the fight, another knockout to the count. Evander overcame his rival in the 10th round, out of 12 scheduled, and added another title to his collection.
Afterwards, Evander would have a commitment that would go down in history in Brazilian boxing. The North American would share the ring against Adilson Rodrigues: Maguila.
Maguila x Holyfield
E. Holyfield (left) knocked out A. Maguila (right) in 1989. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube
The year: 1989. Brazil would stop to watch an important name in national boxing exchange forces against one of the biggest stars in world boxing.
The confrontation was broadcast on open TV. Maguila, at that time, impressed with his numbers in the sport. After all, there were 35 victories in 37 appearances.
Those who tuned in to the broadcast, however, ended up following the Brazilian boxer's ordeal. Even with the power in his fists, capable of knocking out opponents with single blows, Maguila was able to last two rounds against Holyfield. After a right cross, Adilson simply disappeared, generating a very strong image for those who followed.
Hit on the iconic Buster Douglas and new title
E. Holyfield (right) knocked out B. Douglas in 1990. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
For those who followed boxing in the 1990s, James 'Buster' Douglas became something of a myth. The fighter became the first athlete in history, in professional boxing, to beat the 'unstoppable' Mike Tyson, taking the WBA belt that belonged to the 'Man of Steel'.
If Douglas provided sports fans with a historic 'zebra', Holyfield was the man who would correct the 'mistake'. In James' first title defense, brutality. Buster was unable to repeat his good performance from months before against Tyson and succumbed with a knockout in the third round.
With the victory, Evander had three belts on his shelf: WBA, WBC and IBF.
New strong rival: the never-ending George Foreman
E. Holyfield (right) defeated G. Foreman (left) in 1991. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Protagonist of one of the best fights in history, alongside Muhammad Ali, the legendary 'The Rumble in the Jungle', in 1974, Foreman was still active in the 1990s. Willing to regain his old WBA and WBC belts, the legend needed to overcome Holyfield to make history.
The confrontation took place on April 19, 1991, in New Jersey. Even showing the same resistance as always, George was not able to overcome Evander, who won the unanimous decision of the judges after 12 rounds.
The first fall
Just over a year after beating Foreman and making two more title defenses – one of them against Lerry Holmes, the only man in history to knock out Muhammad Ali – came Holyfield's first defeat. After 28 consecutive victories, the 'fall' came against Riddick Bowe.
Evander's stumble made history on November 13, 1992. Against Bowe, the then champion was defeated in a unanimous decision by the judges, losing the WBA, WBC and IBF titles.
(Almost) immediate redemption
To regain his position as heavyweight champion, Holyfield needed a new test. The opponent at the time was Alex Stewart, in June 1993. Against the Jamaican, a points victory qualified the North American for a rematch against Riddick.
The reunion with Bowe came months after getting over Stewart. This time, the victory came to Evander, who overcame his rival in the judges' majority decision, thus regaining the WBA and IBF titles, previously held by his former tormentor.
New loss of titles
In April 1994, Holyfield again shook and lost the belts. In his first title defense after his victory against Bowe, the champion succumbed.
Against Michael Moorer, in a 12-round fight, Evander lost on points. In the majority decision, the North American was once again dethroned.
1997: Holyfield x Mike Tyson
E. Holyfield (right) in one of the collisions with M. Tyson, in 1997. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
In 1997, boxing would be marked by the origin of a rivalry that is still talked about today. After an unstable period in his career, Holyfield found himself in the sport again and managed to qualify for a confrontation against the 'most feared man in the world', at the time, Mike Tyson.
Considered one of the best boxers of all time, Tyson was enjoying a good time in boxing after being sentenced to six years in prison in 1992, accused of rape, and serving half of the sentence. When he left the penitentiary, Mike seemed unbeatable.
After two 'test fights' against Peter McNeeley and Buster Mathis Jr., both in 1995, the 'Iron Man' was scheduled to face Frank Bruno, for the WBC belt, in 1996.
Against Bruno, a blowout: knockout in the third round. Then, also in 1996, Tyson faced Bruce Seldon, for the WBA title. This time, I ran over him in the first round.
Everything seemed back to normal for Tyson in boxing. The athlete 'collected heads' until he met Holyfield for the first time.
On November 9, 1996, Evander entered the ring in an attempt to regain the WBA title, lost in 1994. To do so, the fighter would need to tame the 'Beast Tyson' and he managed to do so.
With refined technique and a gala performance, Holyfield 'ignored' Mike's fame and, throughout the rounds, proved his superiority. In the opening minute of the 11th round, the surprise. Evander manages to knock out the legend and regain his old belt.
Rematch with Tyson
Referee checks injury caused by M. Tyson's bite. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
With prestige in boxing, Mike got an immediate rematch against Holyfield. The fight, however, went down in history as one of the biggest and scariest scenes in the sport.
The duel, watched by millions of spectators around the world, took place at the MGM Arena, one of boxing's biggest stages. The show, which had everything to be marked by a confrontation between two elite athletes, disappointed after an unfair and shocking attitude from Tyson.
For three rounds, Holyfield repeated his good performance from the first meeting. Aggressive and precise, the fighter didn't give Mike a chance, who lost his head and started, in the clinch, trying to bite his opponent's ear.
Desperate in the ring, Tyson tried so hard that he succeeded. The former champion, with one bite, literally tore off a piece of Holyfield's ear, who screamed in despair and disbelief across the ring. After the action, the 'Iron Man' was disqualified and never managed to win a boxing title again.
Always at the top of the sport, Evander would lose the belt again in November 1999, against another legend, Lennox Lewis. Months before, the athletes swapped and ended up drawing. In the rematch, it was worse for Evander, beaten by the judges' unanimous decision.
Unstoppable in the sport, Holyfield managed to regain the vacant WBA title in 2000, at the age of 37. The reign, however, was short-lived. In his first defense, in the rematch against John Ruiz, the athlete was overcome by points and, in the third, decisive fight, he drew and moved away from his dream of keeping the throne.
History after 40
At 44 years old, Evander continued to compete at a high level in the sport that made him famous worldwide. The good phase made the veteran qualified to face Sultan Ibragimov, for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) belt.
The fight, held in Russia, 'the opponent's home', ended up being decided on points. In the unanimous decision of the judges, the North American was defeated.
In 2008, at 46, Holyfield resurfaced and was chosen to face the 'giant' Nikolai Valuev, for the WBA belt. At the time, the duel generated controversy due to the result. Evander ended up defeated in the majority decision, generating commotion among fans, who dreamed of seeing the veteran win a belt in the sport.
Last performance
In May 2011, Evander took to the ring for what would be his last fight in professional boxing. At 48 years old, the veteran went to Denmark to face the 'owner of the house', Brian Nielsen.
Still in great physical shape, the knockout was the outcome. Holyfield needed 10 rounds to overcome his rival and, in theory, hang up his gloves.
Surprise: Holyfield returns against Belfort
E. Holyfield (left) and V. Belfort (right) face-off before their fight on September 11th. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Since November 2020, when he followed his biggest rival, Mike Tyson, returning to boxing after more than 15 years of inactivity, Holyfield showed interest in returning to the ring. After challenging the 'Man of Steel' himself and facing a confrontation against former champion Kevin McBride, Evander will have a different challenge.
After months of training for his return, Holyfield accepted the challenge of replacing Oscar De La Hoya in the super boxing challenge against the Brazilian MMA legend, Vitor belfort. The confrontation will be valid under professional rules and is expected to consist of eight two-minute rounds.
As he has done in other times, Evander will have the opportunity to shock the world. Having not fought for over 10 years, the veteran will need a great performance to overcome an opponent 14 years younger and with a reputation as a knockout artist.
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