Evander Holyfield and MIke Tyson were supposed to have fought back on November 8, 1991. Evander was the undisputed Cruiserweight Champion of the World and moved up to the Heavyweight division to win the Heavyweight Championship. Mike had been attending Holyfield's fights and was watching his rise and success to the top. Holyfield had devastingly defeated James Tillis, Pinklon Thomas, Michael Fokes, Allison Rodrigues, Alex Stewart, and Seamus McDonagh who were all top Heavyweight contenders. Don King was biding as much time, as possible to hold off on having Mike face Evander for the undisputed Heavyweight Championship of the World.
Mike Tyson had easily knocked out Michael Spinks to become the lineal Heavyweight Champion of the World in 1988. Then, he defeated Frank Bruno and Carl "The Truth" Williams. On February 11, 1990 in Tokyo Japan, Mike Tyson fought the 42-1 to win underdog James "Buster" Douglas, who had trained very hard for that fight. Tyson and Douglas clashed and Tyson realized that he was fighting someone, who was all business and very serious. Douglas came at Tyson ready with a fearsome offense and a string defense. Tyson had put him down to the canvas, but Douglas had gotten up and continued to fight. He brutally knocked out Tyson in the tenth round. It is considered sided to be the biggest upset in sports history. Douglas was the new undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World.
The Holyfield and Tyson fight had to wait. Several months later, Holyfield knocked out Douglas in the third round and at last, had became the undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World. Holyfield defeated big George Foreman, Bert Cooper, and Larry Holmes. Meanwhile, Tyson was sent to prison in 1992 for 3 1/2 years. During that time, was the memorable hard fought trilogy between Holyfield and Riddick "Big Daddy" Bowe. Holyfield, again, defeated Alex Stewart and went on to face Michael Moorer, Ray Mercer, and Bobby Czyz. During that time, Holyfield had lost the title to Bowe, regained it, and lost again to Bowe in a non-title fight. Holyfield was diagnosed with a heart condition after he had suffered a heart attack during the Moorer fight in 1994 and lost the title.
After the Holyfield and Czyz fight, finally came the long-awaited fight between Holyfield and Tyson. Mike had become the WBC and WBA Heavyweight Champion in 1996, but was stripped of the WBC title very soon afterward. Evander and Mike fought at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. From the get go, Evander counterpunched Mike. It was a very rough night for Mike, as fought very hard, but could simply do nothing to get to or hurt Evander, who had gotten the best of Mike throughout the fight. He had worn down Mike and had put him down to the canvas at one point. Mike's legs were wobbly and he was exhausted. Evander continued to masterfully counterpunch Mike and relentlessly attacked him with endless combinations until the referee stopped the fight in the eleventh round with Evander winning by TKO and regaining the championship for tbe third time.
At the press conference after the fight, Evander had spoken very dignified about Mike and Mike had spoken respectfully to Evander. The two had shaken hands ina very sincere manner of utter mutual respect. The two great champions had finally met and both had given their all.
Source: Boxing History
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