The Greatest Boxing Matches of the 80s: Evender Holyfield vs. Dwight Muhammad
Battle of the Styles, which ended in a partial unanimous decision victory
The 1980s were one of the most exciting years in boxing and will be remembered for a series of matches that created champions, attracted fans, became wars and remain the most interesting in the combat sport. In the following lines, we will recall the clash between Evander Holyfield and Dwight Muhammad, which surely enters the top 10 of the greatest boxing duels of the 80s.
The date is July 12, 1986, and the Omni Coliseum arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The fight pits current WBA light heavyweight world title holder Dwight Muhammad Qavi against top-ranked boxer Evander Holyfield, who is unbeaten in his first 11 bouts in the professional ring. Holyfield is also a bronze medalist at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984, but he is determined to reach his first significant honor in professional boxing.
The title, which Muhammad had won just a year earlier by knocking out Piet Cruz, is the big bet that could go to either boxer after only a 15-round fight. A fight that is so contested that it is very difficult for each of the three judges to distinguish between the competitors and award success to the other. A great style rivalry ensues, which is also due to the height difference between the two. Holyfield is 189 centimeters tall, but weighs 2 kilograms less than the world champion, who is 86, but is only one meter and 68 centimeters tall.
During the entire match there was not a single knockdown, but Muhammad seriously pressed his opponent and attacked him with his inexhaustible energy. However, the contender manages to stay at a distance and show good combinations that find the head of the world champion, and not a few times. All of these hits lead to a 2 to 1 victory for Holyfield. Harold Lederman gives 144:140 for the challenger, and Nefi Quintana is of the opinion that Evander was even more convincing - 147:138. Only Gudrun Folkman has seen success for Mumahad, and only by two strokes - 143:141. This is the first time that the world light heavyweight title has been decided by partial unanimity.
Shown during the match, the style of the two, the contested exchange of blows and the attractive moments, make the match the best clash in this division in the 1980s of the last century according to the magazine "Ring". Specialists are of the opinion that this is the greatest match in the entire history of the light heavyweight category, and others are even ready to define it as one of the greatest 15-round fights.
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