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Quick Facts
- NAME: Evander Holyfield
- OCCUPATION: Boxer
- BIRTH DATE: October 19, 1962 (Age: 50)
- PLACE OF BIRTH: Atmore, Alabama
- Full Name: Evander Holyfield
- Nickname: The Real Deal
- ZODIAC SIGN: Libra
Best Known For
Boxer Evander Holyfield fought in the Olympics and reigned as the world heavyweight champion from 1990 to 1992, and again from 1993 to 1994. In an infamous bout in 1996, Holyfield's ear was bitten by Mike Tyson.
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Play NowEvander Holyfield. (2013). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 10:44, May 21, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/evander-holyfield-9342655.
Evander Holyfield. [Internet]. 2013. The Biography Channel website. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/evander-holyfield-9342655 [Accessed 21 May 2013].
"Evander Holyfield." 2013. The Biography Channel website. May 21 2013, 10:44 http://www.biography.com/people/evander-holyfield-9342655.
"Evander Holyfield," The Biography Channel website, 2013, http://www.biography.com/people/evander-holyfield-9342655 [accessed May 21, 2013].
"Evander Holyfield," The Biography Channel website, http://www.biography.com/people/evander-holyfield-9342655 (accessed May 21, 2013).
Evander Holyfield [Internet]. The Biography Channel website; 2013 [cited 2013 May 21] Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/evander-holyfield-9342655.
Evander Holyfield, http://www.biography.com/people/evander-holyfield-9342655 (last visited May 21, 2013).
Evander Holyfield. The Biography Channel website. 2013. Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/evander-holyfield-9342655. Accessed May 21, 2013.
Synopsis
Born October 19, 1962, Evander Holyfield won the bronze medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics before going pro. He became a world heavyweight champion when he defeated James "Buster" Douglas in 1990. He lost the title to Riddick Bowe in 1992, but won it back a year later, in a rematch with Bowe. In 1994, however, he again lost the title, when Michael Moorer defeated him. Holyfield attracted a lot of attention in 2005,
when he performed on the hit show Dancing with the Stars.
Intro to Boxing
Evander Holyfield was born on October 19, 1962 in Atmore, Alabama. Often referred to as "the Real Deal," Holyfield is known for being a four-time world heavyweight champion. Growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, he took boxing lessons as a child. He competed as amateur in the Golden Gloves competitions in the early 1980s. After winning a national Golden Gloves Championship in 1984, Holyfield made the U.S. Olympic team. Proud to represent his country at the 1984 Olympics held in Los Angeles, he experienced a great disappointment in the ring. He was disqualified during a semifinal match against Kevin Barry of New Zealand for hitting his opponent after a break. Many who witnessed the fight have disputed the referee's call. Despite this personal setback, Holyfield did receive the bronze medal.
Boxing as a Professional
After the Olympics, Holyfield turned professional and first fought in the junior heavyweight and cruiserweight classes. He won the World Boxing Association's (WBA) World Cruiserweight title in 1986 by defeating the reigning champion Dwight Qwai. Holyfield trained hard to become big enough and strong enough to compete as a heavyweight fighter. In 1990, he became the world heavyweight champion, defeating James "Buster" Douglas, the holder of the WBA, International Boxing Federation (IBF), and World Boxing Council (WBC) championship titles. Holyfield took out Douglas in only seven minutes.
Holyfield's intense rivalry with boxer Riddick Bowe began in the early 1990s: He suffered a big defeat to Bowe in 1992, losing his title. It was his first loss in 29 professional fights. After briefly contemplating retirement, Holyfield was back in the ring and anxious to reclaim his title. He did just that when he got his rematch with Bowe in 1993, winning by decision. Holyfield didn't hold on to his title for too long. The next year Michael Moorer defeated him by decision.
Fight with Tyson
Health problems sidelined the famous boxer for a time, but he returned to the ring and eventually fought one of the most notorious boxers in history, Mike Tyson. Holyfield beat Tyson in their first encounter in 1996, winning the WBA championship. No one could have imagined what happened in their next fight, however. During the bout, Tyson twice bit Holyfield's ear—the second time takinh a piece out of Holyfield's ear. Tyson was disqualified, and his odd behavior in the ring became international news. Holyfield, a deeply religious man, forgave his opponent. Several months after this incident, Holyfield took back his IBF title from Michael Moore by knocking him out in the eight round, making it his third separate title victory.
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