Thursday, Apr. 23, 2009
Tyson-Holyfield I
This clash of heavyweight titans was supposed to have happened as early as 1990. But injuries and a Tyson prison sentence on rape charges resulted in several delays. So when it finally arrived, in 1996, the story was compelling: Tyson, the tarnished young superstar versus Evander Holyfield, the old-school fighter on his third comeback.
Few gave the 34-year-old Holyfield much of a chance. But he proved a wily veteran, adapting to Tyson's blasts and keeping his opponent off-balance throughout the match. In the eleventh round, the referee stopped the fight in Holyfield's favor. A stunned Tyson quickly sought a rematch to reclaim his title.