Evander Holyfield
The only four-time heavyweight champion of the world.
- Born
- October 19, 1962, Atmore, Alabama, US
- Nationality
United States- Height
- 189 cm (6′2″)
- Reach
- 197 cm (6′6″)
- Stance
- Orthodox
- Style
- Aggressive combination puncher
- Weight
- Cruiserweight, Heavyweight
- Active
- 1984–2011
- Status
- Retired · age 63
The record
Professional; matches IBHOF (which counts 56 bouts, leaving out the no contest) record
1984 Olympic bronze (light heavyweight)
The story
vander Holyfield of Atmore, Alabama, took light heavyweight bronze at the 1984 Olympics after a disputed disqualification in the semi-final. He won the WBA cruiserweight title from Dwight Muhammad Qawi in only his 12th pro fight and by 1988 held all the major cruiserweight belts. Moving up, he knocked out Buster Douglas in 1990 to become undisputed heavyweight champion. He lost the title to Riddick Bowe in 1992, regained the WBA and IBF belts in their 1993 rematch, and in 1996 stopped Mike Tyson in the 11th round; their 1997 rematch ended when Tyson was disqualified for biting. After two fights with Lennox Lewis he won the WBA belt again in 2000, becoming the only four-time world heavyweight champion. He boxed until 2011.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- Undisputed cruiserweight champion (1988)
- Undisputed heavyweight champion (1990–1992)
- Only four-time world heavyweight champion
- International Boxing Hall of Fame (2017)
- International Sports Hall of Fame (2015)
Defining fights
- 1986WINvs Dwight Muhammad Qawi (SD 15, won WBA cruiserweight title)
- 1990WINvs Buster Douglas (KO 3, undisputed heavyweight title)
- 1993WINvs Riddick Bowe (MD 12, regained WBA and IBF titles)
- 1996WINvs Mike Tyson (TKO 11, won WBA title)
- 1997WINvs Mike Tyson (DQ 3, Tyson disqualified for biting)
Counter the uppercut with something straight: when Buster Douglas dipped to throw a big right uppercut in 1990, Holyfield beat him to it with a straight right and won the title. Drill spotting the dip and firing straight down the middle.
