Just one punches would K!LL THE AVERAGE MAN. Truly one of the best fights of ALL TIME: Professional american heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson (45–1, 39 KO – pre-fight record) against skilled and strong undisputed champion at cruiserweight in the late and at heavyweight Evander Holyfield (32–3, 23 KO – pre-fight record) | HO

Fight took place in MGM Grand Garden Arena in Paradise, Nevada, at November 9, 1996.

The series of fights between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield were some of the most lucrative and popular in boxing history. Much was written about the showdown before it finally happened for the first time in 1996.

Since the late 1980s, with Holyfield’s rise to heavyweight after having been cruiserweight champion, the fight had been brewing. Then came Tyson’s historic loss to ‘Buster’ Douglas in 1990.

Shock

The shocking result left ‘Iron Mike’, who was undisputed heavyweight king, without his three belts. Warrior, meanwhile, manoeuvred quickly and managed to get a fight with Douglas, who managed to get away from Don King to make the fight.

With Holyfield already champion, in 1991 Tyson gave up a tidy sum to go against George Foreman in exchange for a shot at regaining his throne, although facing ‘Big George’ provided him with a much bigger payday.

Unfortunately, an injury to Tyson while training forced the fight to be postponed for two months. Prior to the fight, the Brooklyn fighter was sentenced to three years in prison for r@pe.

After his release, Holyfield won the first by TKO in the eleventh round and the rematch ended with Tyson’s disqualification for biting.

Speaking to World Boxing News, Holyfield discussed Tyson and his legacy.

“Not at all, it [the bite] didn’t tarnish his legacy. When you talk about Tyson, you have to talk about how good he was, the incredible things he did. He was the youngest heavyweight champion then and he still is. He was the youngest heavyweight champion at 20 years old and I was 28 years old, and I had an apprenticeship,” Holyfield said.

“Mike and I were in the same group trying to make the Olympic team [in 1984]. I made it, but he didn’t. We have someone who could have quit, but he stuck with what he wanted to do and became amazing in the 1980s,” he said.

Evander Holyfield pressures Mike Tyson to accept trilogy bout: ‘It’s on you now’

Evander Holyfield wants his turn.

The former four-time heavyweight champion has called out Mike Tyson, who shared the ring with Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition bout this past Saturday at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Holyfield said it should have been him going toe to toe with Tyson, whom he defeated twice in the 1990s. He watched the exhibition and wasn’t impressed.

“My side tried to make the fight happen, and we got nothing but excuses,” Holyfield said. “Now I can see why he wanted a tune-up fight before thinking about fighting me.”

A 1997 rematch between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield turned chaotic after Tyson’s infamous ear bites. Holyfield, who won by disqualification, TKO’d Tyson in their first fight.

Holyfield said the idea of an exhibition was his in the first place. Now he wants to be part of the action.

The 58-year-old has always maintained his fitness. That can’t be said for the 54-year-old Tyson, who reportedly lost as much as 100 pounds as a result of his change of lifestyle.

Holyfield thinks a fight between him and Tyson would be bigger than the event on Saturday.

“Roy Jones was a good local opponent for Mike,” Holyfield said. “But a fight with me would be a global event, and the only fight that anyone wants to see is a fight between us. There is absolutely no reason why we shouldn’t make it happen.

“… No more excuses. This is the fight that must happen for both our legacies. Saturday night you said you were ready to fight me, so sign the contract and get in the ring, Tyson. The world is waiting, and it’s on you now. I’m ready.”