In November, 1996, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield stepped in the ring against one another for the first time to fight for the WBA Heavywe...
In November, 1996, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield stepped in the ring against one another for the first time to fight for the WBA Heavyweight Championship title. It was one of the most anticipated boxing bouts of the decade as the two had established themselves as huge draws at the time.
A big reason for that bout being hyped was the fact that Tyson and Holyfield were supposed to face each other much earlier. They were all set to clash in 1991 but a rib injury to Tyson meant the fight had to be postponed. Tyson then went to prison for three years after being convicted for rape. He then came out swinging hard and within a year and a half, he had won the WBA and WBC titles.
Holyfield, on the other hand, had started out in the lightweight division before stepping up to cruiserweight. He then added even more weight and went on to become the Undisputed Heavyweight champion. But by the time his first fight against Tyson came around, he was considered by many to be past his best and even had to get a medical clearance to step in the ring.
Tyson was expected to beat Holyfield convincingly in their first bout....
