The Greatest Boxing Matches of the 90s: Evander Holyfield vs. George Foreman

The Greatest Boxing Matches of the 90s: Evender Holyfield vs. George Foreman

The battle of the ages, which suggested that the 90s would be the special years in sports

The nineties of the last century offered us incredible spectacles in the boxing ring. Matches everyone will be talking about. Matches that have attracted a number of new boxing fans. Matches that are worth remembering from time to time.

One of the most frequently involved in the best matchups is Evander Holyfield. The boxer from Alanta is one of the most successful and attractive competitors in the sport. His fights are worth noting, so today we will talk about his fight against George Foreman. A fight where 3 cars were at stake - the WBA, WBC and IBF world heavyweight titles. Not only because of the big bet, but also because of what happened in the match, because of the age difference between the two contestants, the clash was called the "Battle of the Ages".

Before we get to it, however, it is appropriate to recall who enters from what position. On October 25, 1990 Evander Holyfield knocked out James Douglas in the 3rd round and became world champion. Ahead of that fight, Holyfield postponed a potential fight with Mike Tyson to agree to a match with 42-year-old George Foreman for the titles he would win if he defeated Douglas. After returning to boxing in 1987. Foreman is undefeated - 24 wins, 23 of which have come by knockout. "The Big One" is hungry for more victories and more financial income. From a match with Holyfield, the fighter born in Houston, Texas, will collect 12.5 million dollars, and the world champion even more - 20 million. Despite his serious age, Foreman is determined to dethrone Holyfield and put on three belts at once.

We come to the date April 19, 1991. The day of the "fight of the ages" - 28-year-old Evander Holyfield against 42-year-old veteran George Foreman. Expectations are for total dominance by Evander and a quick end for "The Big George". But that's normal - 14 years younger, still undefeated in his career, who wouldn't bet on Holyfield. And the beginning shows that just that can happen. The first round highlights that Evander definitely has the upper hand, but in the second round, Foreman sends the champion into the ropes after two powerful left hooks. A powerful right straight follows and Holyfield is rocked. The fans sense that a big match is coming, and Foreman isn't in the ring to collect a bag of money. He has come to fight.

The third and fourth rounds, however, again show that what happened in the second was rather due to an underestimation of the opponent by Holyfield. But in the fifth round, Foreman hurt the champion again - another left hook and 3 powerful right straights for "Big George" to win another round. The sixth is easy for Evander, but the best is yet to come, for which Foreman is saving his strength. Yu

The round by which the clash will be remembered. The round that turned the boxing match into a real war - that's how the sports publications describe round number 7. Holyfield starts off aggressively and lands a few punches, and Foreman hangs back, waiting for his chance. And it comes after the world champion misses with a left hook, "Big George" immediately counters with a right hook and continues a powerful assault on Holyfield, landing several blows to rock him. At the beginning of the second minute of the part, however, comes a 15-second cannonade from Evender, and miraculously Foreman stays on his feet. Although visibly tired, George held on until the end of the round, named Ring magazine's round of the year.

By the end of the match, it was clear to everyone that if Foreman held on, it would be the big win for him. All 12 rounds were played, and Holyfield won by unanimous decision: 116:111, 115:112 and 117:110, thus retaining his belts. But more importantly, a 42-year-old competitor showed that he is not that much weaker than the young ones.

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