View source for Evander Holyfield

{{short description|American boxer (born 1962)}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Infobox boxer
| name = Evander Holyfield
| image = Evander Holyfield LA 2011.jpg
| caption = Holyfield in 2011
| nickname = {{plainlist|
*The Real Deal
*The Warrior
}}
| weight = {{plainlist|
*[[Cruiserweight (boxing)|Cruiserweight]]
*[[Heavyweight]]
}}
| height = 6 ft 2+1/2 in<ref name=lewisholyfieldII>''[[HBO Sports]]'' tale of the tape prior to the [[Lennox Lewis vs. Evander Holyfield II|second Lennox Lewis fight]].</ref>
| reach = 77+1/2 in<ref name=lewisholyfieldII />
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|10|19}}
| birth_place = [[Atmore, Alabama]], U.S.
| style = [[Orthodox stance|Orthodox]]
| total = 57
| wins = 44
| KO = 29
| losses = 10
| draws = 2
| no contests = 1
| medaltemplates = 
{{MedalSport | Men's [[amateur boxing]]}}
{{MedalCountry | {{USA}} }}
{{MedalOlympics}}
{{MedalBronze | [[1984 Summer Olympics|1984 Los Angeles]] | [[Boxing at the 1984 Summer Olympics – Light heavyweight|Light heavyweight]]}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Pan American Games]]}}
{{MedalSilver | [[1983 Pan American Games|1983 Caracas]] | [[Boxing at the 1983 Pan American Games|Light heavyweight]]}}
}}

'''Evander Holyfield''' (born October 19, 1962) is an American former [[professional boxer]] who competed between 1984 and 2011. He reigned as the [[undisputed championship (boxing)|undisputed champion]]{{efn|Three-belt era: [[World Boxing Association]] (WBA), [[World Boxing Council]] (WBC), and [[International Boxing Federation]] (IBF) titles.}} in the [[cruiserweight (boxing)|cruiserweight]] division in the late 1980s and at [[heavyweight]] in the early 1990s, and was the only boxer in history to win the undisputed championship in two [[weight class (boxing)|weight classes]] in the "three-belt era", a feat later surpassed by [[Terence Crawford]], [[Naoya Inoue]] and [[Oleksandr Usyk]], who became two-weight undisputed champions in the four-belt era. Nicknamed "'''the Real Deal'''", Holyfield is the only four-time world heavyweight champion, having held the [[unified championship (boxing)|unified]] [[World Boxing Association]] (WBA), [[World Boxing Council]] (WBC), and [[International Boxing Federation]] (IBF) titles from 1990 to 1992, the WBA and IBF titles again from 1993 to 1994, the WBA title a third time from 1996 to 1999; the IBF title a third time from 1997 to 1999 and the WBA title for a fourth time from 2000 to 2001. 

As an [[amateur boxing|amateur]], Holyfield represented the United States at the [[Boxing at the 1984 Summer Olympics|1984 Summer Olympics]], winning the [[light heavyweight]] bronze medal. He turned professional at the age of 21, moving up to cruiserweight in 1985 and winning his first world championship the following year, defeating [[Dwight Muhammad Qawi]] for the WBA title. Holyfield then went on to defeat [[Ricky Parkey]] and [[Carlos de León]] to win the WBC and IBF titles, thus becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion. He moved up to heavyweight in 1988, later defeating [[Buster Douglas]] in 1990 to claim the unified WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles and the undisputed heavyweight championship.

He successfully defended his titles three times, scoring victories over former champions [[George Foreman]] and [[Larry Holmes]], before suffering his first professional loss to [[Riddick Bowe]] in 1992. Holyfield regained the crown in a rematch one year later, defeating Bowe for the WBA and IBF titles (Bowe having relinquished the WBC title beforehand). Holyfield later lost these titles in an upset against [[Michael Moorer]] in 1994.

Holyfield was forced to retire in 1994 upon medical advice, only to return a year later with a clean bill of health. In 1996, he [[Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield|defeated]] [[Mike Tyson]] and reclaimed the WBA title, in what was named by ''[[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]]'' magazine as the [[The Ring magazine Fight of the Year|Fight of the Year]] and [[The Ring magazine Upset of the Year|Upset of the Year]]. This made Holyfield the first boxer since [[Muhammad Ali]] to win a world heavyweight title three times. Holyfield won a [[Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II|1997 rematch against Tyson]], which saw the latter disqualified in round three for biting off part of Holyfield's ears. During this reign as champion, he also avenged his loss to Michael Moorer and reclaimed the IBF title.

In 1999, he faced [[Lennox Lewis]] in a unification fight for the undisputed WBA, WBC, and IBF titles, which ended in a controversial split draw. Holyfield was defeated in a rematch eight months later. The following year, he defeated [[John Ruiz]] for the vacant WBA title, becoming the first boxer in history to win a version of the heavyweight title four times.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/34648104|title=Evander Holyfield: Boxing great who 'lost everything' smiling again|date=November 4, 2015|last=Dirs|first=Ben|work=BBC Sport |access-date=December 11, 2020}}</ref> Holyfield lost a rematch against Ruiz seven months later and faced him for the third time in a draw.

Holyfield retired in 2014, and is ranked number 77 on ''The Ring''{{'}}s list of 100 greatest punchers of all time<ref name=100punchers>{{cite web |url=http://boxing.about.com/od/history/a/ring_punchers.htm |title=Ring Magazine's 100 Greatest Punchers |last=Eisele |first=Andrew |year=2003 |publisher=[[About.com]] |access-date=March 10, 2010 |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707075523/http://boxing.about.com/od/history/a/ring_punchers.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> and in 2002 named him the 22nd greatest fighter of the past 80 years.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thoughtco.com/ring-magazines-best-fighters-424112|title=Are These Really the 80 Best Boxers Ever?|work=ThoughtCo|access-date=2017-12-16}}</ref> He currently ranks No.91 in [[BoxRec]]'s ranking of the greatest [[pound for pound]] boxers of all time.<ref name=boxrec-ratings-world>{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/ratings?r%5Brole%5D=proboxer&r%5Bsex%5D=M&r%5Bdivision%5D=&r%5Bcountry%5D=&r%5Bstance%5D=&r%5Bstatus%5D=&r_go=|title=BoxRec ratings: world, pound-for-pound, active and inactive|access-date=13 July 2020|publisher=BoxRec}}</ref> ''BoxingScene'' ranked him the greatest cruiserweight of all time.<ref>Cliff Rold [http://www.boxingscene.com/-20-greatest-cruiserweights-all-time--18179 The 20 greatest cruiserweights of all time]. boxingscene.com. Retrieved July 19, 2011.</ref> He is also the first boxer to hold world titles in three different decades, in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dazn.com/en-US/news/boxing/nonito-donaire-joins-bernard-hopkins-floyd-mayweather-and-manny-pacquiao-in-unique-class-of-three-decade-title-winners/1bzbw8xtusdhy1qzspdishzqut |title=Nonito Donaire Joins Bernard Hopkins, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in Unique Class of Three Decade Title Winners |website=DAZN |last=Walker |first=Chris |date=May 31, 2021 |access-date=July 22, 2021 }}</ref> In 2015, he was inducted into the [[International Sports Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |title=2015 International Sports Hall of Fame Inductees |url=https://sportshof.org/2015-hall-of-fame/ |website=www.sportshof.org |author=Dr. Robert Goldman | date=March 13, 2015 | access-date=July 14, 2023}}</ref>

==Early life==
Evander Holyfield was born on October 19, 1962, in the mill town of [[Atmore, Alabama]]. The youngest of nine children, he was much younger than his other siblings and was born from a different father.<ref name="carollainterview">[http://adamcarolla.com/evander-holyfield-and-bert-marcus/ "Evander Holyfield and Bert Marcus", March 16, 2015] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317221917/http://adamcarolla.com/evander-holyfield-and-bert-marcus/ |date=2015-03-17 }}</ref> His family later moved to [[Atlanta, Georgia]], where he was raised in the crime-ridden Bowen Homes Housing Projects.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rollingout.com/2008/11/27/evander-holyfield-heart-of-champion-why-evander-holyfield-refuses-to-retire/|title=Evander Holyfield Heart of Champion: Why Evander Holyfield Refuses to Retire|publisher=rollingout|date=November 27, 2008|access-date=December 11, 2020}}</ref>

Holyfield describes himself as a physical "late bloomer": upon graduating from [[South Atlanta High School|Fulton High School]] in 1980, he was only {{height|ft=5|in=8}} tall and weighed only {{convert|147|lb|kg}}.<ref name="carollainterview" /><ref>{{cite web |author1=Megan Hart |title=Boxing champ Evander Holyfield brings a message of inspiration to Muskegon High School |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2010/10/boxing_champ_evander_holyfield.html |website=M Live |access-date=2 October 2021 |date=Oct 21, 2010}}</ref> By age 21, he had grown to {{height|ft=6|in=0}} and weighed {{convert|178|lb|kg}}.<ref name="carollainterview" /> He grew an additional {{convert|2+1/2|in|cm}} in his early 20s, finally reaching his adult height of {{height|ft=6|in=2+1/2}}.

==Amateur career==
He began boxing at age seven and won the Boys Club boxing tournament. At 13, he qualified to compete in his first Junior Olympics. By age 15, Holyfield became the Southeastern Regional Champion, winning this tournament and the Best Boxer Award. By 1984 he had a record of 160 wins and 14 losses, with 76 by knockout.

When he was 20 years old, Holyfield represented the U.S. in the [[Boxing at the 1983 Pan American Games|1983 Pan American Games]] in [[Caracas, Venezuela]], where he won a [[Boxing at the 1983 Pan American Games|silver medal]] after losing to Cuban world champion [[Pablo Romero]]. The following year, he was the National Golden Gloves Champion, and won a bronze medal in the 1984 [[1984 Summer Olympics|Summer Olympic Games]] in [[Los Angeles, California]], after a controversial disqualification in the second round of the semi-final against New Zealand's [[Kevin Barry (boxer)|Kevin Barry]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Holyfield Disqualified for Punch|website=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=August 10, 1984}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Calm Amid Controversy and Dignified in Victory|website=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=August 9, 1985}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Meeting the Gold Standard|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=July 21, 1986|author=Putnam, Pat|url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1065047/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121203001904/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1065047/index.htm|archive-date=December 3, 2012}}</ref>

==Professional career==
===Light heavyweight===
Holyfield started out professionally as a [[light heavyweight]] with a televised win in six rounds over Lionel Byarm at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 1984. On January 20, 1985, he won another six-round decision over Eric Winbush in Atlantic City, New Jersey. On March 13, he knocked out Fred Brown in the first round in Norfolk, Virginia, and on April 20, he knocked out Mark Rivera in two rounds in Corpus Christi, Texas.

===Cruiserweight===
{{Main|Dwight Muhammad Qawi vs. Evander Holyfield|Evander Holyfield vs. Henry Tillman|Evander Holyfield vs. Rickey Parkey|Evander Holyfield vs. Ossie Ocasio|Evander Holyfield vs. Dwight Muhammad Qawi II|Evander Holyfield vs. Carlos De León}}
Both he and his next opponent, [[Tyrone Booze]], moved up to the [[Cruiserweight (boxing)|cruiserweight]] division for their fight on July 20, 1985, in [[Norfolk, Virginia]]. Holyfield won an eight-round decision over Booze. He then went on to knock out Rick Myers in the first round on August 29 in his hometown of [[Atlanta]]. On October 30 in [[Atlantic City]] Holyfield knocked out opponent Jeff Meachem in five rounds, and his last fight for 1985 was against Anthony Davis on December 21 in [[Virginia Beach, Virginia]]. He won by knocking out Davis in the fourth round.

He began 1986 with a [[knockout]] in three rounds over former world cruiserweight challenger Chisanda Mutti, and proceeded to beat Jessy Shelby and Terry Mims before being given a world title try by the [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] Cruiserweight Champion [[Dwight Muhammad Qawi]]. In what was called by [[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]] as ''the best cruiserweight bout of the 1980s'', Holyfield became world champion by defeating Qawi by a narrow 15 round split decision. He culminated 1986 with a trip to [[Paris, France]], where he beat Mike Brothers by a knockout in three, in a non-title bout.

In 1987, he defended his title against former Olympic teammate and Gold medal winner [[Henry Tillman]], who had beaten [[Mike Tyson]] twice as an amateur. He retained his belt, winning by seventh-round knockout, and then went on to unify his WBA belt with the [[International Boxing Federation|IBF]] belt held by [[Ricky Parkey]], knocking Parkey out in three rounds. For his next bout, he returned to France, where he retained the title with an eleven-round knockout against former world champion [[Ossie Ocasio]]. In his last fight of 1987, he offered Muhammad Qawi a rematch and, this time, he beat Qawi by a knockout in only four rounds.

1988 was another productive year for Holyfield; he started by becoming the first universally recognized World Cruiserweight Champion after defeating the [[Lineal championship|Lineal]] & [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] Champion [[Carlos De León]] at [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/cruiser.htm|title=Evander Holyfield - Lineal Cruiserweight Champion|publisher=The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia}}</ref> The fight was stopped after eight rounds.<ref>{{cite news
| title = Evander Holyfield, king of the cruiserweights, bravely – 04.18.88 – SI Vault
| access-date = April 27, 2009
| url = http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1067221/index.htm
| work = CNN
| date = April 18, 1988
| url-status = dead
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130102113354/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1067221/index.htm
| archive-date = January 2, 2013
}}</ref>

===Heavyweight===
{{main|Evander Holyfield vs. James Tillis|Evander Holyfield vs. Pinklon Thomas|Michael Dokes vs. Evander Holyfield|Evander Holyfield vs. Adílson Rodrigues|Evander Holyfield vs. Alex Stewart|Evander Holyfield vs. Seamus McDonagh}}
After that fight, he announced he was moving up in weight to pursue the World Heavyweight Championship held by Tyson. His first fight as a Heavyweight took place on July 16, when he beat former Tyson rival [[James "Quick" Tillis]] by a knockout in five, in [[Lake Tahoe, Nevada]] (Tillis had gone the distance with Tyson). For his third and final bout of 1988, he beat former Heavyweight Champion [[Pinklon Thomas]], also by knockout, in seven rounds.

Holyfield began 1989 meeting another former Heavyweight Champion, [[Michael Dokes]]. This fight was named one of the best fights of the 1980s by Ring magazine, as ''best heavyweight bout of the 1980s''. Holyfield won by a knockout in the 10th round, and then he met [[Brazilians|Brazilian]] Champion [[Adilson Rodrigues]], who lasted two rounds. His last fight of the 1980s was against [[Alex Stewart (boxer)|Alex Stewart]], a hard punching fringe contender. Stewart shocked Holyfield early, with quick, hard punches, but eventually fell in eight.

In 1990, Holyfield beat [[Seamus McDonagh (boxer)|Seamus McDonagh]], knocking him out in four rounds. By this time, Holyfield had been Ring Magazine's number-one contender for two years and had yet to receive a shot at Tyson's Heavyweight title.

===Undisputed heavyweight champion===
{{Main|Buster Douglas vs. Evander Holyfield|Evander Holyfield vs. George Foreman|Evander Holyfield vs. Bert Cooper|Evander Holyfield vs. Larry Holmes}}
Holyfield had been promised a title shot against Tyson in 1990. Before that fight could occur, in what many consider to be the biggest upset in boxing history, relatively unknown boxer, 29-year-old, 231&nbsp;lb. [[Buster Douglas]] defeated the 23-year-old, 218&nbsp;lb. [[Mike Tyson]] in [[Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas|10 rounds in Tokyo]] to become the new undisputed heavyweight champion. Instead of fighting Tyson, Holyfield was Douglas's first title defense.

They met on October 25, 1990. Douglas came into the fight at 246&nbsp;lb. and offered little in the fight against Holyfield, who was in ideal shape at 208&nbsp;lb. In the third round Douglas tried to start a combination with a big right uppercut. Holyfield countered with a straight right hand and Douglas went down for the count. Holyfield was the new undefeated, undisputed heavyweight champion of the World. At the time of the knockout, Holyfield was ahead on all three judges' scorecards, all seeing it 20–18 for Holyfield.

In his first defense, he beat former and future world champion [[George Foreman]] by unanimous decision. The fight was billed as a "Battle for the Ages", a reference to the age difference between the young undefeated champion (28 years old) and the much older George Foreman (42 years old). Holyfield weighed in at 208 pounds and Foreman weighed in at 257 pounds. Foreman lost the fight by a unanimous decision, but surprised many by lasting the whole 12 rounds against a much younger opponent, even staggering Holyfield a few times and knocking him off balance in the seventh round.

Then a deal was signed for him to defend his crown against [[Mike Tyson]] in November 1991. Tyson delayed the fight, claiming he was injured in training, but was then convicted for the rape of [[Desiree Washington]] and sentenced to six years in prison, so the fight did not happen at that time. They fought in 1996 (Holyfield won by a TKO in 11) and a rematch in 1997 (Holyfield won by disqualification in three, after Tyson bit both of his ears).

Holyfield made his next defense in Atlanta against late replacement in [[Bert Cooper]] over [[Francesco Damiani]] who suffered a foot injury in training days before the fight, Cooper surprised Holyfield with a very good effort. Holyfield scored the first knockdown of the fight against Cooper with a powerful shot to the body, but Cooper returned the favor with a good right hand that sent Holyfield against the ropes; while not an actual knockdown, referee Mills Lane gave Holyfield a standing eight-count. Having suffered the first technical knockdown of his professional career, Holyfield regained his composure quickly and administered a beating that left Cooper still on his feet, but unable to defend himself. Holyfield landed brutal power shots, culminated by repeated vicious uppercuts that snapped Cooper's head back. Referee Mills Lane stopped the bout in the seventh.

In his first fight of 1992, he faced 42 year old former world heavyweight champion [[Larry Holmes]], and had just pulled off an upset against [[Ray Mercer]]. During the bout, Holyfield suffered the first scar of his career with a gash opening up over his eye, the result of Holmes' elbow. The fight ended with a unanimous decision in favor of Holyfield.

===Holyfield–Bowe rivalry===
{{Main|Evander Holyfield vs. Riddick Bowe|Evander Holyfield vs. Alex Stewart II|Riddick Bowe vs. Evander Holyfield II}}
In the beginning of a trilogy of bouts with the 25-year-old [[Riddick Bowe]], who had won a silver medal in the 1988 Olympics, in the super heavyweight division, he suffered his first defeat when Bowe won the undisputed title by a 12-round unanimous decision in Las Vegas. Round ten of that bout was named the "Round of the Year" by ''The Ring''. Holyfield was knocked down in round 11. He made the mistake of getting into a slugfest with the younger, bigger and stronger Bowe, leading to his defeat.

He began 1993 by beating Alex Stewart in a rematch, but this time over the 12-round unanimous distance.

Then came the rematch with Bowe on November 6, 1993. In what is considered by many sporting historians as one of the most bizarre moments in boxing's history, during round seven the crowd got off their feet and many people started to run for cover and yell. Holyfield took his eyes off Bowe for one moment and then told Bowe to look up to the skies. What they saw was [[James Miller (parachutist)|a man in a parachute]] flying dangerously close to them. The man almost entered the ring, but his parachute had gotten entangled in the lights and he landed on the ropes and apron of the ring, and he was then pulled into the crowd, where he was beaten by members of Bowe's entourage. Bowe's pregnant wife, Judy, fainted and had to be taken to the hospital from the arena. Twenty minutes later, calm was restored and Holyfield went on to recover his world heavyweight titles with a close 12 round majority decision. The man who parachuted down to the middle of the ring became known as [[Fan Man|The Fan Man]] and the fight itself became known as the Fan Man Fight. His victory over Bowe that year helped Holyfield being named as [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s [[Wide World of Sports (U.S. TV series)|Wide World of Sports]] Athlete of the Year for 1993.

===Holyfield vs. Moorer, Holyfield vs. Bowe III===
{{Main|Evander Holyfield vs. Michael Moorer|Evander Holyfield vs. Ray Mercer|Riddick Bowe vs. Evander Holyfield III}}
His next fight, April 1994, he met former [[World Boxing Organization|WBO]] light heavyweight [[Michael Moorer]], who was attempting to become the first southpaw to become the universally recognised world heavyweight champion. He dropped Moorer in round two, but lost a twelve-round majority decision. When he went to the hospital to have his shoulder checked, he was diagnosed with a heart condition and had to announce his retirement from boxing. It later surfaced that the chairman of the medical advisory board for the [[Nevada State Athletic Commission]] believed his condition to be consistent with [[HGH]] use.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/02/28/holyfield/index.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303063754/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/02/28/holyfield/index.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=March 3, 2007 | work=CNN | title=SI: Holyfield allegedly received steroids, HGH via alias | date=February 28, 2007 | access-date=May 2, 2010}}</ref>

However, watching a television show hosted by preacher [[Benny Hinn]], Holyfield says he felt his heart heal. He and Hinn subsequently became friends and he became a frequent visitor to Hinn's crusades. In fact, during this time, Holyfield went to a Benny Hinn crusade in Philadelphia, had Hinn lay hands on him and gave Hinn a check for $265,000 after he was told he was healed. He then passed his next examination by the boxing commission. Holyfield later stated that his heart was misdiagnosed due to the morphine pumped into his body.

In 1995, Holyfield returned to the ring with a ten-round decision win versus former Olympic gold medalist, [[Ray Mercer]]. He was the first man to knock down Mercer.

Holyfield and Bowe then had their rubber match. Holyfield knocked Bowe down with a single left hook but Bowe prevailed by a knockout in eight. Holyfield later claimed that he contracted [[hepatitis]] before the fight.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2172860 Trilogies filled with triumphs, tragedies – boxing – ESPN]. Sports.espn.go.com (September 29, 2005). Retrieved on October 3, 2011.</ref>

===Holyfield–Tyson rivalry===
====Holyfield vs. Tyson====
{{Main|Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield|Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II}}
In 1996, Holyfield met former world champion [[Bobby Czyz]], beating him by a knockout in six. Afterwards, he and [[Mike Tyson]] met.

Tyson had recovered the WBC and WBA Heavyweight Championship and, after being stripped of the WBC title for not facing [[Lennox Lewis]], defended the WBA title against Holyfield on November 9 of that year. Tyson was heavily favored to win, but Holyfield made history by [[Tyson-Holyfield I|defeating Tyson]] in an 11th round [[technical knockout|TKO]]. This was the third occasion on which Holyfield won the WBA Heavyweight title. However, the fight was not recognized as being for the [[lineal championship]], which was held by [[George Foreman]] at the time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/achamp.htm |title=The Lineal Heavyweight Boxing Champs |publisher=The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603092447/http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/achamp.htm |archive-date=2009-06-03 }}</ref>

====Holyfield vs. Tyson II: The Bite Fight====
Holyfield's rematch with Tyson took place on June 28, 1997. Known as "The Bite Fight", it went into the annals of boxing as one of the most bizarre fights in history. The infamous incident occurred in the third round, when Tyson bit Holyfield on one of his ears and had two points deducted. Referee Mills Lane decided to disqualify Tyson initially, but after Holyfield and the ringside doctor intervened and said Holyfield could continue, he relented and allowed the fight to go on. Tyson bit Holyfield again, this time on the other ear. Tyson's teeth tore off a small section of the top of his opponent's ear, known as the [[Helix (ear)|helix]], and spat that bit of flesh out onto the canvas.

The immediate aftermath of the incident was bedlam. Tyson was disqualified and a melee ensued. Tyson claimed his bites were a retaliation to Holyfield's unchecked [[headbutt]]s, which had cut him in both fights. Others argued that Tyson, knowing he was on his way to another knockout loss, was looking for a way out of the fight. [[Teddy Atlas]], who had briefly trained Tyson seventeen years earlier, predicted that Tyson would get himself disqualified, calling Tyson "a very weak and flawed person".<ref>"Atlas Shrugged, He Knows What's Eating Tyson," Michael Katz, ''New Daily News'', June 30, 1997</ref>

===Holyfield vs. Moorer II, Bean===
{{Main|Evander Holyfield vs. Michael Moorer II|Evander Holyfield vs. Vaughn Bean}}
Next came another rematch, this time against Michael Moorer, who had recovered the IBF's world title. Holyfield knocked Moorer to the canvas five times and referee Mitch Halpern stopped the fight between the eighth and ninth rounds under the advice of physician Flip Homansky. Holyfield once again unified his WBA belt with the IBF belt by avenging his defeat by Moorer.

In 1998 Holyfield had only one fight, making a [[mandatory challenger|mandatory defense]] against [[Vaughn Bean]], who was defeated by decision at the [[Georgia Dome]] in the champion's hometown. For the first time, Holyfield's performance called into question whether age was diminishing his ability to continue as a championship fighter.<ref>{{cite news | first=Mike| last=Wise | title=Bean Dents Holyfield's Armor | date=September 21, 1998 | url =https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E2D71330F932A1575AC0A96E958260| work =The New York Times| access-date = May 13, 2008}}</ref>

===Holyfield–Lewis rivalry===
{{Main|Evander Holyfield vs. Lennox Lewis|Evander Holyfield vs. Lennox Lewis II}}

====Holyfield vs. Lewis====
By 1999, the public was clamoring for a unification bout versus the WBC World Champion, [[Lennox Lewis]] of the [[United Kingdom]]. That bout happened in March of that year. The bout was declared a controversial draw after twelve rounds, where it appeared to most that Lewis dominated the fight.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?columnist=rafael_dan&id=2473382 | work=ESPN | title=Rafael's 'lock' list of boxers bound for Canastota | date=June 7, 2006 | access-date=March 25, 2012}}</ref> Holyfield claimed his performance was hindered by stomach and leg cramps.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/boxing/1999/lewis_holyfield/news/1999/11/12/fight_preview_ap/index.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000824072759/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/boxing/1999/lewis_holyfield/news/1999/11/12/fight_preview_ap/index.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 24, 2000 | work=CNN | title=Lennox Lewis vows to take matters into his own hands | date=November 13, 1999 | access-date=May 2, 2010}}</ref> Holyfield and Lewis were ordered by the three leading organizations of which they were champions to have an immediate rematch.

====Holyfield vs. Lewis II====
The second time around in November of that year, Lewis became the Undisputed Champion by beating Holyfield by a unanimous decision which, while less controversial than the result of their first bout, was also disputed amongst media and observers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1999-11-15 |title=American media unimpressed with Lewis |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/american-media-unimpressed-with-lewis-741494.html |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ESPN.com: BOXING - Champ, yes, but Lewis still has proven little |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/columns/graham/504148.html |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=www.espn.com}}</ref> "I haven't felt this good after a fight since I was a cruiserweight," Holyfield said; "It makes me think I should have fought a little harder against Lennox. Maybe I'd be sore and sick, but I'd have the victory."<ref name='AP 1999-11-15'>{{cite news | title=Holyfield at peace after loss to Lewis| date=November 15, 1999 | url =http://www.canoe.ca/SlamHolyfieldLewis/nov15_hol.html | archive-url =https://archive.today/20120629151038/http://www.canoe.ca/SlamHolyfieldLewis/nov15_hol.html | url-status =usurped | archive-date =June 29, 2012 | work =Canoe | access-date = March 2, 2008}}</ref>

===Holyfield–John Ruiz trilogy===
{{Main|Evander Holyfield vs. John Ruiz|Evander Holyfield vs. John Ruiz II|John Ruiz vs. Evander Holyfield III}}
In 2000, Lewis was stripped of the WBA belt for failing to meet lightly regarded Don King fighter [[John Ruiz]], having fought Ruiz's conqueror [[David Tua]], and the WBA ordered Holyfield and Ruiz to meet for that organization's world title belt. Holyfield and Ruiz began their trilogy in August of that year, with Holyfield making history by winning on a controversial, but unanimous 12-round decision to become the first boxer in history to be the World Heavyweight Champion four times. Holyfield blamed his lackluster performance on a perforated (broken) eardrum.<ref>[http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2001/Mar-01-Thu-2001/sports/15546647.html ''Las Vegas Review-Journal'': Sports]. Reviewjournal.com (March 1, 2001). Retrieved on October 3, 2011.</ref>

Seven months later, in March 2001, it was Ruiz's turn to make history at Holyfield's expense when he surprisingly managed to knock Holyfield down and beat him by a 12-round decision to become the first [[Hispanic]] ever to win a Heavyweight title. On December 15 of that year, Holyfield challenged Ruiz for the title, in an attempt to become champion again. The fight was declared a draw and John Ruiz maintained the WBA Championship title.

===Holyfield vs. Byrd===
{{Main|Evander Holyfield vs. Hasim Rahman|Chris Byrd vs. Evander Holyfield}}
2002 began as a promising year for Holyfield: in June, he met former World Heavyweight Champion [[Hasim Rahman]], to determine who would face Lewis next. Holyfield was leading on two of the three scorecards when the fight was stopped in the eighth round due to a severe [[hematoma]] on Rahman's forehead above his left eye that was caused by a headbutt earlier in the fight. Holyfield was ahead, so he was declared the winner by a technical decision.

The IBF decided to strip Lewis of his belt after he didn't want to fight Don King-promoted fighter [[Chris Byrd]], instead going after Tyson, and declared that the winner of the fight between Holyfield and former WBO Heavyweight Champion Byrd would be recognized as their Heavyweight Champion. On December 14, 2002, Holyfield once again tried to become the first man ever to be Heavyweight Champion five times when he and Byrd met, but Byrd came out as the winner by a 12-round unanimous decision.

===Consecutive losses, New York suspension===
{{main|Evander Holyfield vs. James Toney|Evander Holyfield vs. Larry Donald}}
On October 4, 2003, Holyfield lost to [[James Toney]] by TKO when his corner threw in the towel in the ninth round. At age 42, Holyfield returned to the ring to face [[Larry Donald]] on November 13, 2004. He lost his third consecutive match in a twelve-round unanimous decision.

In August 2005 it had been reported that the [[New York State Athletic Commission]] had banned Evander Holyfield from boxing in [[New York (state)|New York]] due to "diminishing skills" despite the fact that Holyfield had passed a battery of medical tests.

===Comeback===
[[File:EHolyfield.jpg|thumb|Holyfield vs. [[Lou Savarese|Savarese]], 2007]]
Holyfield was initially criticized for his ongoing comeback; but he was adamant that his losses to Toney and Donald were the result of a shoulder injury, not of old age. Holyfield had looked better in his first four fights since Donald and appeared to have answered the critics who say that he lacked the cutting edge and ability to follow up on crucial openings that he had in his youth.

Holyfield defeated [[Jeremy Bates (boxer)|Jeremy Bates]] by TKO on August 18, 2006, in a 10-round bout at [[American Airlines Center]] in [[Dallas]], [[Texas]]. Holyfield dominated the fight which was stopped in the second round after he landed roughly twenty consecutive punches on Bates.

Holyfield defeated [[Fres Oquendo]] by unanimous decision on November 10, 2006, in [[San Antonio, Texas]]. Holyfield knocked Oquendo down in the first minute of the first round and continued to be the aggressor throughout the fight, winning a unanimous decision by scores of 116–111 and 114–113 twice.

On March 17, 2007, Holyfield defeated [[Vinny Maddalone]] by TKO when Maddalone's corner threw in the towel to save their man from serious injury in the ring.

On June 30, 2007, Holyfield defeated [[Lou Savarese]], knocking the bigger and heavier Savarese down in the fourth and again in the ninth round, en route to a unanimous decision win. This was Holyfield's fourth win in ten months, two of them by KO. This victory finally set the stage for Holyfield's title fight against [[Sultan Ibragimov]], for the WBO Heavyweight title.

====Holyfield vs. Ibragimov====
{{Main|Sultan Ibragimov vs. Evander Holyfield}}
On October 13, 2007, Holyfield was defeated by Sultan Ibragimov. Although unable to defy his critics by winning a fifth Heavyweight title, Holyfield refused to be backed up by the young champion and even rattled him in the closing part of the 12th round. The fight was mostly uneventful, however, with neither fighter being truly staggered or knocked down. In most exchanges, Sultan was able to land two punches to Holyfield's one. The result was a unanimous decision for Ibragimov, with scores of 118–110 and 117–111 twice.

====Holyfield vs. Valuev====
{{Main|Nikolai Valuev vs. Evander Holyfield}}
He told [[BBC Scotland]]'s Sports Weekly "I'm gonna fight, be the heavyweight champion of the world one more time. Then I'm gonna write another book and tell everybody how I did it." On December 20, 2008, he fought, at the [[Hallenstadion]] in [[Zürich]], [[Switzerland]], the WBA Heavyweight Champion [[Nikolai Valuev]] for a paycheck of $600,000, the lowest amount he has ever received for a championship fight. At the weigh-in, he weighed 214 pounds, Valuev weighed a career low of 310 pounds.

Valuev defeated Holyfield by a highly controversial majority decision after a relatively uneventful bout. One judge scored the bout a draw 114–114, while the others had Valuev winning 116–112 and 115–114. Many analysts were outraged at the decision, thinking Holyfield had clearly won.<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?categoryId=2491554&brand=null&videoId=3784246&n8pe6c=2 Dan Rafael Breaks Down Valuev's Win – ESPN Video – ESPN] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224122514/http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?categoryId=2491554&brand=null&videoId=3784246&n8pe6c=2 |date=December 24, 2008 }}. Sports.espn.go.com (December 20, 2008). Retrieved on October 3, 2011.</ref> There was talk of a rematch in 2009.

The WBA did their own investigation into the controversial decision;<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090729165421/http://sports-odds.com/fight/123008-nikolai-valuev-win-over-evander-holyfield-under-investigation.html Nikolai Valuev Win Over Evander Holyfield Under Investigation]</ref> "As the World Boxing Association (WBA) always cares about and respects the fans' and the media's opinion, the Championship Committee has ordered a panel of judges to review the tape of the fight between Nikolai Valuev and Evander Holyfield, for the WBA heavyweight title" read a statement from the WBA. The organization also expressed that they "will give a decision accordingly in the following weeks." Many speculated that an immediate rematch would be the most likely scenario, but this never materialised. Valuev lost the WBA title in his next fight against [[Great Britain|British]] boxer [[David Haye]].

===Holyfield vs. Botha===
After the loss to Valuev, Holyfield took a period of inactivity. He reportedly agreed to fight [[Sport in South Africa#Boxing|South African]] boxer [[Francois Botha]] on January 16, 2010; it was agreed that the venue for the fight would be the [[National Stadium (Uganda)|Nelson Mandela Memorial Stadium]] in [[Kampala]], Uganda. A few weeks before the fight, it was revealed that the bout would be postponed to February 20, 2010.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/boxing/8436344.stm | work=BBC News | title=Holyfield-Botha fight is delayed | date=January 4, 2010 | access-date=May 2, 2010}}</ref><ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4686941&name=rafael_dan Thanksgiving offers no rest for busy boxing folks – ESPN]. Sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved on October 3, 2011.</ref> The match was put in jeopardy due to economic disagreements but was later confirmed to be on April 10, 2010, at the [[Thomas & Mack Center]] in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]].<ref>{{cite web
  | author =Lotierzo, Frank
  | title =Evander Holyfield Is Making It Hard To Remember How Special He Once Was
  | publisher =TheSweetScience.com
  | date =April 10, 2010
  | url =http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/7911/evander-holyfield-making-hard-remember-how-special-once-was/
  | url-status =dead
  | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20100413024748/http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/7911/evander-holyfield-making-hard-remember-how-special-once-was/
  | archive-date =April 13, 2010
  }}</ref> When asked about his upcoming bout, the four-time world heavyweight champion said: "I've been hearing for a while that I can't do it. All it does is light a fire under me to prove people wrong." He added: "I can still fight. I don't want to leave until I've become the undisputed heavyweight champion one more time. That's been my goal the entire time."<ref>{{cite web
  | author =Carp, Steve
  | title =Holyfield fights Botha, doubters in ring tonight
  | website =Las Vegas Review-Journal
  | date =April 10, 2010
  | url =http://www.lvrj.com/sports/holyfield-fights-botha--doubters-in-ring-tonight-90463884.html}}</ref> The American boxer scored an eighth-round knockout of Botha to win the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) Heavyweight title.<ref>{{cite web
  | author =Avila, David
  | title =Evander Holyfield Stops Botha In 8th
  | publisher =TheSweetScience.com
  | date =April 11, 2010
  | url =http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/7916/evander-holyfield-stops-botha-8th/
  | url-status =dead
  | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20100413055003/http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/7916/evander-holyfield-stops-botha-8th/
  | archive-date =April 13, 2010
  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news
  | title =Evander Holyfield beats Frans Botha to take WBF title in Las Vegas
  | work =Guardian.co.uk
  | date =April 11, 2010
  | url =https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/apr/11/evander-holyfield-frans-botha
| location=London
| access-date=May 2, 2010}}</ref>

Holyfield started slowly as usual in the early going. Botha held and hit Holyfield, and took the control of the fight for the first three rounds. However, the South African could not slow down Holyfield, though he did hurt him, and the American boxer slowly began to punch him more to take control of the bout in the later rounds. In the seventh round Holyfield stunned Botha and knocked him down in the eighth round. Though he beat the count, Holyfield cornered him and landed many punches that forced the referee Russell Mora to stop the bout. At the time of the stoppage, Holyfield was behind on two judges' cards, 67–66, while the third judge had it 69–64 for the American boxer. Only 3,127 attended the fight.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/mma/boxing/04/11/holyfield.botha.ap/index.html |work=CNN |title=Holyfield, 47, KOs Botha in 8th to capture WBF heavyweight title |date=April 11, 2010 |access-date=May 2, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414175047/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/mma/boxing/04/11/holyfield.botha.ap/index.html |archive-date=April 14, 2010 }}</ref>

===Holyfield vs. Williams===
After the Botha fight, Holyfield said he was interested in fighting either [[Vitali Klitschko]], the current WBC champion, or his younger brother [[Wladimir Klitschko]].<ref>Rosenthal, Michael. (April 11, 2010) [http://www.ringtv.com/blog/1809/weekend_review_bertos_big_night/ Weekend Review: Berto's big night] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415181728/http://www.ringtv.com/blog/1809/weekend_review_bertos_big_night/ |date=2010-04-15 }}. RingTV. Retrieved on October 3, 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite web
  | author =Okamoto, Brett
  | title =Evander Holyfield has eyes on Klitschkos, no matter what anyone thinks
  | publisher =LasVegasSun.com
  | date =April 10, 2010
  | url =http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/apr/10/evander-holyfield-has-eyes-klitschkos-no-matter-wh/}}</ref> Holyfield's next bout against [[Sherman Williams (boxer)|Sherman "The Tank" Williams]] on November 5, 2010, at [[Joe Louis Arena]] in [[Detroit]], Michigan, was then postponed twice before finally being rescheduled to January 22, 2011, and moved to The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Holyfield started the bout slowly and in the second round, he was cut in the left eye following an accidental clash of heads. In round three as he took several combinations. After the end of the round, Holyfield told his corner that he was unable to see due to the cut. Consequently, the bout was ruled a [[No contest (boxing)|no contest]].<ref>{{cite web |title =Evander Holyfield-Sherman Williams Ends in No-Contest |publisher =Boxing Scene |date =January 23, 2011 |url =http://www.boxingscene.com/evander-holyfield-sherman-williams-ends-no-contest--35050 |access-date =January 23, 2011}}</ref>

The [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] had allegedly agreed to match Holyfield up with [[Vitali Klitschko]] after fights with Williams and Nielsen.<ref>{{cite web 
  | author =Laz Izada
  | title =Evander Holyfield at 48: Should He Still Be Fighting?
  | publisher =Bleacher Report, Inc.
  | date =January 3, 2011
  | url =http://bleacherreport.com/articles/560232-evander-holyfield-at-48-should-he-still-be-fighting}}</ref>

===Holyfield vs. Nielsen===
A fight with [[Brian Nielsen (boxer)|Brian Nielsen]], the most popular Danish heavyweight in that country's history, was scheduled for March 5, 2011, in Denmark, but needed to be postponed to May 7, 2011, due to a cut Holyfield received in the Williams fight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/03/evander-holyfields-cut-postpones-brian-nielsen-fight-to-may-7/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629151050/http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/03/evander-holyfields-cut-postpones-brian-nielsen-fight-to-may-7/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-06-29|title=News & latest headlines from AOL|work=AOL.com}}</ref>

The official weigh-in was held on Friday night in Denmark, with Holyfield at 225 pounds, while his opponent Nielsen, with his shorts on, weighed 238 pounds. Nielsen had never been this light in his career. Nielsen had said that although it would be mighty difficult for him to beat Holyfield, he promised it would not be a one sided affair. Holyfield said that if he won he would move to next level and challenge for major titles.

Holyfield started the fight aggressively, pressing the 46-year-old Nielsen into the ropes and landing several hard jabs and hooks, knocking him down in the 3rd round. Despite getting a swollen eye in the 4th round, Nielsen kept on clowning to provoke Holyfield throughout the bout, prompting his trainer, Paul Duvill, to beg him to stop fooling around and focus on Holyfield. In round 10, Nielsen pushed a tired-looking Holyfield into the ropes with a series of combinations, before Holyfield turned it around. Holyfield pushed Nielsen into a corner and battered him with combinations until the referee stopped the contest.<ref>[http://sporten.tv2.dk/article.php/id-39595795:nielsen-vs-holyfield-omgang-for-omgang.html Nielsen vs Holyfield: Omgang for omgang – TV 2 Sporten]. Sporten.tv2.dk. Retrieved on October 3, 2011.</ref><ref>[http://sporten.tv2.dk/article.php/id-39599628:boksebamsen-fik-med-bj%C3%B8rnekloen.html Boksebamsen fik med bjørnekloen – TV 2 Sporten]. Sporten.tv2.dk. Retrieved on October 3, 2011.</ref>

===Retirement===
After the Nielsen fight, Holyfield attempted to land a shot at a world heavyweight title (all major belts were held by Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, at that time). However, after more than a year of trying to land this fight, Yahoo News reported his intention to retire in 2012, with Holyfield stating, "The game's been good to me and I hope I've been good to the game. ... I'm 50 years old (on Friday) and I've pretty much did everything that I wanted to do in boxing."<ref>{{cite web|last=Iole |first=Kevin |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/boxing/ex-heavyweight-king-evander-holyfield-officially-retire-hall-173012999--box.html |title=Ex-heavyweight king Evander Holyfield to officially retire; Hall of Fame countdown begins |publisher=sports.yahoo.com |date=October 16, 2012 |access-date=January 6, 2014}}</ref> Later that same month, however, Holyfield seemed to change his mind, saying that he still considers himself a "serious contender."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tmz.com/2012/10/22/evander-holyfield-unretiring-boxing-video/ |title=Evander Holyfield - I'm UNRETIRING! |newspaper=TMZ |publisher=TMZ.com |date=October 22, 2012 |access-date=January 6, 2014}}</ref> Unable to secure a title shot, his career went into limbo for several months. However, In June 2014, after not fighting in over three years, Holyfield announced his final retirement. He is currently a boxing adviser to heavyweight prospect [[Zhang Zhilei]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/345439-evander-holyfield-retires-im-done|title=Evander Holyfield officially retires: 'I'm done' - Ring TV|author=Tim SmIth|date=26 June 2014|work=Ring TV|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006132728/http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/345439-evander-holyfield-retires-im-done|archive-date=6 October 2014}}</ref>

==Exhibition bouts==

In 2015, Evander Holyfield and [[Mitt Romney]] participated in a friendly exhibition bout for charity; the event took place in Utah to help the organization CharityVision.<ref>AP '' 'Sting like a butterfly': Holifield jabs Romeny for charity'' 2015 May 16
[https://abc13.com/mitt-romney-evander-holyfield-fight-boxing-match/726257/] Retrieved 2021 January 3.</ref>

===Holyfield vs. Belfort===
{{Main|Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort}}
On April 16, 2021, it was announced that Holyfield would return to the ring on June 5, 2021, to face [[Kevin McBride]] (most widely known for defeating former undisputed heavyweight champion [[Mike Tyson]]) in an exhibition bout on the undercard of [[Teófimo López vs. George Kambosos Jr.]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Holland|first=Jesse|date=2021-04-16|title=Evander Holyfield vs Kevin McBride boxing match official for Triller PPV on June 5|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2021/4/16/22387823/evander-holyfield-vs-kevin-mcbride-boxing-match-official-triller-ppv-june-5|access-date=2021-05-03|website=MMAmania.com|language=en}}</ref> However, after the López vs. Kambosos card was postponed multiple times, the fight against McBride ultimately did not materialize, leading Holyfield to file a demand for [[arbitration]] against [[Triller (app)|Triller]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-09-02|title=Holyfield files arbitration demand against Triller; McBride also disgusted|url=https://www.worldboxingnews.com/evander-holyfield-triller-arbitration/|access-date=2021-09-09|website=World Boxing News|language=en}}</ref>

On September 3, 2021, it was reported that [[Oscar De La Hoya]], who had been slated to headline a Triller PPV show against [[Vitor Belfort]] on September 11, had been hospitalized with [[COVID-19]], and that Holyfield would be stepping in for De La Hoya.<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-09-03|title=De La Hoya tests positive; Belfort-Holyfield on tap|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/32141180/oscar-de-la-hoya-hospitalized-covid-19-vitor-belfort-now-face-evander-holyfield|access-date=2021-09-09|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}</ref> The event was originally scheduled to take place in California, however, the [[California State Athletic Commission]] refused to sanction a bout with Holyfield in any capacity–exhibition or professional. The bout was subsequently moved to Florida after the Florida State Athletic Commission agreed to sanction the bout as an exhibition. Holyfield lost via first-round technical knockout.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kershaw|first=Tom|date=September 12, 2021|title=Evander Holyfield stopped in first round of sad spectacle|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/boxing/holyfield-belfort-result-fight-trump-b1918562.html|access-date=12 September 2021|website=[[The Independent]]|language=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Idec|first=Keith|date=September 11, 2021|title=Vitor Belfort Stops Evander Holyfield in First Round|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/vitor-belfort-stops-evander-holyfield-first-results--160511|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=Boxing Scene|language=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lunn|first=Tom|date=September 11, 2021|title=Holyfield v Belfort LIVE: UK start time, live stream, undercard and how to watch|url=https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/938394/evander-holyfield-vitor-belfort-date-uk-start-time-live-stream-full-undercard-watch/|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=[[Talksport]]|language=}}</ref>

==Personal life==
{{BLP sources|Personal life section|date=November 2022}}
[[File:Evander Holyfield 2010 Indy 500 Pole Day.JPG|thumb|Holyfield at the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]] in 2010]]
[[File:Evander Holyfield and Karyn Marshall at the Association of Oldtime Barbell & Strongmen Reunion cropped.jpg|thumb|right|Holyfield with Olympic weightlifting champion [[Karyn Marshall]] at a ceremony honoring him in 2016]]
Holyfield is the younger brother of actor and dancer, Bernard Holyfield, and currently lives and trains in [[Fayette County, Georgia|Fayette County]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].

One of his sons, [[Evan Holyfield|Evan]], followed in his father's footsteps and became a professional boxer.<ref>{{cite web|last=Campbell|first=Brian|date=November 3, 2019|title=WATCH: Evander Holyfield's son delivers powerful TKO just 16 seconds into pro boxing debut|url=https://www.cbssports.com/boxing/news/watch-evander-holyfields-son-delivers-powerful-tko-just-16-seconds-into-pro-boxing-debut/amp/|access-date=May 12, 2021|website=[[CBS Sports]]}}</ref> Another son, [[Elijah Holyfield|Elijah]], played football for the [[Cincinnati Bengals]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/elijah-holyfield-son-evander-holyfield-commits-uga/nnYRC/|title=Elijah Holyfield, son of Evander Holyfield, commits to UGA|website=www.wsbtv.com|access-date=December 11, 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905143517/http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/elijah-holyfield-son-evander-holyfield-commits-uga/nnYRC/|archive-date=September 5, 2015}}</ref>

He is a [[Born again Christianity|born-again Christian]].

He founded [[Real Deal Records]] which signed the briefly successful group Exhale.

In late 2007 and early 2008, Holyfield was among a number of celebrities to be doing television ads for the restaurant chain [[Zaxby's]].

In 2017, a [[statue of Evander Holyfield]] designed by sculptor [[Brian Hanlon]] was commissioned by the city of Atlanta for installation in [[Downtown Atlanta]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Keenan|first=Sean Richard|date=April 4, 2019|title=Whatever happened to the Evander Holyfield statue planned for downtown Atlanta?|url=https://atlanta.curbed.com/2019/4/4/18294241/downtown-woodruff-park-evander-holyfield-statue|access-date=December 25, 2020|website=[[Curbed Atlanta]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|language=en}}</ref>

===Advertising===
By 1992, Holyfield was already a household name, endorsing multiple products on television, such as [[Coca-Cola]] and [[Diet Coke]]. He also had a [[video game]] released for the [[Sega Genesis|Genesis]] and [[Game Gear]]: ''[[Evander Holyfield's Real Deal Boxing]]''.

In 1996 Holyfield was given the opportunity to carry the [[Olympic torch]] when it was on its way to his hometown of Atlanta for that year's Olympics.

On September 22, 2007, Holyfield released the Real Deal Grill cooking appliance via TV infomercials. The Real Deal Grill is manufactured by Cirtran Corp.

===Celebrity appearances===
Holyfield's popularity has led to numerous television appearances for the boxer. His first television show appearance was the Christmas special of ''[[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air]]'' in 1990, playing himself. Other television appearances over the years included ''[[Home Improvement (TV series)|Home Improvement]]'', ''[[Living Single]]'', ''[[New York Undercover]]'', and ''[[NCIS: Los Angeles]]''.

Holyfield had minor roles in three movies during the 1990s, ''Blood Salvage'' (1990, which he also produced), ''[[Necessary Roughness (film)|Necessary Roughness]]'' (1991), and ''[[Summer of Sam]]'' (1999). He made a guest appearance on [[Nickelodeon]]'s [[game show]] ''[[Nickelodeon Guts]]'' during its third season in 1994.

He appeared once in an episode of children animated series ''[[Phineas and Ferb]]''. In the episode, he is an animated character but the producers wanted to make the most of Holyfield's ear, so his animated character was only given half an ear.

In 2005, Holyfield came in fifth place on ABC's ''[[Dancing with the Stars (U.S. TV series)|Dancing with the Stars]]'' with his partner [[Edyta Sliwinska]]. He also made an appearance on the original BBC [[Strictly Come Dancing]] "Champion of Champions" showdown, which featured the final four teams from the 2005 edition of the British series, plus two celebrities from spinoff versions, paired with British professional dancers, one featuring Holyfield paired with Karen Hardy, and Rachel Hunter paired with Brendan Cole.

On August 13, 2007, Holyfield was confirmed to participate in a boxing match at [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]'s ''[[Saturday Night's Main Event XXXV]]'' against [[Matt Hardy]]. He replaced [[Montel Vontavious Porter]], who had to pull out after being legitimately diagnosed with a heart condition that was not part of a storyline.

Holyfield appeared as himself in the 2011 [[Arthur (2011 film)|remake]] of ''[[Arthur (1981 film)|Arthur]]''.

On January 3, 2014, Holyfield became the 12th housemate to enter the [[Celebrity Big Brother (British series 13)|13th series]] of ''[[Celebrity Big Brother (British TV series)|Celebrity Big Brother (UK)]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Walker |first=Danny |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/who-gone-celebrity-big-brother-2984995 |title=Who has gone into the Celebrity Big Brother house? CBB housemates revealed |publisher=mirror.co.uk |access-date=January 6, 2014}}</ref> On January 6, 2014, he was reprimanded by the show after saying in a conversation with another housemate that gayness is abnormal and can be fixed.<ref>{{cite news|author=Neil Lancefield |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/celebrity-big-brother-evander-holyfield-cautioned-over-gay-aint-normal-remarks-9040932.html |title=Celebrity Big Brother 2014: Evander Holyfield cautioned over 'gay ain't normal' remarks |newspaper=The Independent |access-date=January 6, 2014}}</ref> On January 10, 2014, he became the first housemate to be evicted.

In May 2016, Holyfield entered the Argentine dancing reality show ''[[Bailando 2016]]''.<ref>[http://www.infobae.com/2016/05/30/1815028-las-30-fotos-oficiales-del-bailando-2016 The 30 official pictures of "Bailando 2016"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603180807/http://www.infobae.com/2016/05/30/1815028-las-30-fotos-oficiales-del-bailando-2016 |date=2016-06-03 }} {{in lang|es}}</ref>

In 2019, Holyfield appeared as part of the [[Carolina Hurricanes]] [[National Hockey League|NHL]] team's "Storm Surge" celebration, in which he pretended to knock out Hurricanes player [[Jordan Martinook]] at center ice.<ref>{{cite web |title=Evander Holyfield puts the gloves on to celebrate the Hurricanes' victory |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNleTrmlbyw |website=YouTube |publisher=NHL |access-date=15 November 2024 |date=1 March 2019}}</ref> Recordings of Holyfield supporting the Hurricanes occasionally appeared on the team's scoreboard for the remainder of that season and in subsequent years.

===Financial difficulties===
In June 2008 a legal notice was placed by [[Washington Mutual Bank]] stating that Holyfield's $10&nbsp;million, {{convert|54000|sqft|m2|adj=on}}, 109-room, 17-bathroom suburban Atlanta estate would be auctioned off on July 1, 2008, due to [[foreclosure]], shortly before that bank's insolvency. Rapper [[Rick Ross]] ended up acquiring the house. Adding to his financial problems, Toi Irvin, mother of his then 10-year-old son, filed suit for non-payment of two months child support (he was paying $3,000 per month for this child). A Utah landscaping firm also went to court seeking $550,000 in unpaid debt for services. His fortune was drained by frivolous spending, multiple failed business ventures, constant child support payments, and his three divorces, among other things.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/evander-holyfield-s-mansion-under-foreclosure-1.744289 | work=CBC News | title=Evander Holyfield's mansion under foreclosure | date=June 6, 2008}}</ref>

In 2012 ''[[The Independent]]'' described Holyfield as "flat broke and bankrupt" despite having earned £350 million (US$513 million) over his boxing career.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hubbard |first=Alan |date=13 October 2012 |title=Boxing: Holyfield's life goes under the hammer |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-holyfields-life-goes-under-the-hammer-8210385.html |newspaper=Independent |access-date=20 June 2016 }}</ref>

As of 2019, Holyfield was earning about $1.2 million a year, mostly through personal appearances.<ref>[https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/combat-sports/117488748/where-did-312-million-go-boxing-champ-evander-holyfield-on-his-lost-fortune "Where did $312 million go? Boxing champ Evander Holyfield on his lost fortune"]. November 17, 2019.</ref>

===Allegations of steroid and HGH use===
On February 28, 2007, Holyfield was anonymously linked to Applied Pharmacy Services, a pharmacy in Alabama that was under investigation for supplying athletes with illegal steroids and [[Growth hormone|human growth hormone]] (HGH). He denied ever using performance enhancers.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/espn/news/story?id=2782741 "Report: Athletes received illegal 'roids via online ring"]. Sports.espn.go.com (March 1, 2007). Retrieved on October 3, 2011.</ref>

Holyfield's name does not appear in the law enforcement documents reviewed. However, a patient by the name of "Evan Fields" caught investigators' attention. "Fields" shares the same birth date as Holyfield, October 19, 1962. The listed address for "Fields" was 794 Evander, Fairfield, Ga. 30213. Holyfield has a very similar address. When the phone number that, according to the documents, was associated with the "Fields" prescription, was dialed, Holyfield answered.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070303063754/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/02/28/holyfield/index.html "Holyfield allegedly received steroids, HGH via alias"]. Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Retrieved on October 3, 2011.</ref>

On March 10, 2007, Holyfield made a public announcement that he would be pursuing his own investigation into the steroid claims in order to clear his name.<ref>[http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2007/03/10/SPGDLOJ2I71.DTL "Holyfield plans own steroid investigation"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214235424/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2007/03/10/SPGDLOJ2I71.DTL |date=2007-12-14 }}. Sfgate.com (March 10, 2007). Retrieved on October 3, 2011.</ref>

Holyfield was again linked to HGH in September 2007, when his name came up following a raid of Signature Pharmacy in Orlando, Florida.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/top/news;_ylt=AhFXvhYR2e4XComsoKzuJjA5nYcB?slug=jo-steroids092407&prov=yhoo&type=lgns | title='Roid raids | date=24 September 2007 }}</ref>
Signature Pharmacy was under investigation for illegally supplying several professional athletes with steroids and HGH.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2007/09/10/2007-09-10_baltimores_gibbons_got_drugs_from_signat.html? | location=New York | work=Daily News | title=Baltimore's Gibbons got drugs from Signature Pharmacy | date=September 10, 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070915111758/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2007/09/10/2007-09-10_baltimores_gibbons_got_drugs_from_signat.html | archive-date=2007-09-15 | access-date=2007-09-24 }}</ref>

==Professional boxing record==
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|draws=2
|nc=1
|ko-wins=29
|ko-losses=2
|dec-wins=14
|dec-losses=8
|dq-wins=1
}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round, time
!Date
!Age
!Location
!Notes
|-
|57
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{nowrap|44–10–2 {{small|(1)}}}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Brian Nielsen (boxer)|Brian Nielsen]]
|TKO
|10 (12), {{small|2:49}}
|May 7, 2011
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|2011|05|07}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Koncerthuset]], [[Copenhagen]], Denmark}}
|
|-
|56
|style="background: #DDD"|{{abbr|NC|No contest}}
|43–10–2 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Sherman Williams (boxer)|Sherman Williams]]
|NC
|3 (12), {{small|3:00}}
|Jan 22, 2011
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|2011|01|22}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[The Greenbrier]], [[White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|WBF (Federation) heavyweight title at stake;<br />Holyfield cut from an accidental head clash}}
|-
|55
|{{yes2}}Win
|43–10–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Francois Botha]]
|TKO
|8 (12), {{small|0:55}}
|Apr 10, 2010
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|2010|04|10}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant [[World Boxing Federation (organization)|WBF (Federation)]] heavyweight title}}
|-
|54
|{{no2}}Loss
|42–10–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Nikolai Valuev]]
|MD
|12
|[[Nikolai Valuev vs. Evander Holyfield|Dec 20, 2008]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|2008|12|20}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Hallenstadion]], [[Zürich]], Switzerland}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For WBA heavyweight title}}
|-
|53
|{{no2}}Loss
|42–9–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Sultan Ibragimov]]
|UD
|12
|[[Sultan Ibragimov vs. Evander Holyfield|Oct 13, 2007]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|2007|10|13}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Khodynka Arena]], [[Moscow]], Russia}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For [[WBO heavyweight champion|WBO heavyweight title]]}}
|-
|52
|{{yes2}}Win
|42–8–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Lou Savarese]]
|UD
|10
|Jun 30, 2007
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|2007|06|30}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Don Haskins Center]], [[El Paso, Texas]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|51
|{{yes2}}Win
|41–8–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Vinny Maddalone]]
|TKO
|3 (10), {{small|2:48}}
|Mar 17, 2007
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|2007|03|17}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[American Bank Center]], Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.}}
|
|-
|50
|{{yes2}}Win
|40–8–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Fres Oquendo]]
|UD
|12
|Nov 10, 2006
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|2006|11|10}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Alamodome]], [[San Antonio]], Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant [[International Boxing Federation|USBA]] heavyweight title}}
|-
|49
|{{yes2}}Win
|39–8–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Jeremy Bates (boxer)|Jeremy Bates]]
|TKO
|2 (12), {{small|2:56}}
|Aug 18, 2006
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|2006|08|18}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[American Airlines Center]], [[Dallas]], Texas, U.S.}}
|
|-
|48
|{{no2}}Loss
|38–8–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Larry Donald]]
|UD
|12
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Larry Donald|Nov 13, 2004]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|2004|11|13}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For vacant [[North American Boxing Council|NABC]] heavyweight title}}
|-
|47
|{{no2}}Loss
|38–7–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[James Toney]]
|TKO
|9 (12), {{small|1:42}}
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. James Toney|Oct 4, 2003]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|2003|10|04}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|46
|{{no2}}Loss
|38–6–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Chris Byrd]]
|UD
|12
|[[Chris Byrd vs. Evander Holyfield|Dec 14, 2002]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|2002|12|14}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For vacant IBF heavyweight title}}
|-
|45
|{{yes2}}Win
|38–5–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Hasim Rahman]]
|{{abbr|TD|Technical decision}}
|8 (12), {{small|1:40}}
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Hasim Rahman|Jun 1, 2002]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|2002|06|01}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Boardwalk Hall]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Split TD: Rahman sustained eye swelling from an accidental head clash}}
|-
|44
|{{draw}}Draw
|37–5–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[John Ruiz]]
|SD
|12
|[[John Ruiz vs. Evander Holyfield III|Dec 15, 2001]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|2001|12|15}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Foxwoods Resort Casino]], [[Ledyard, Connecticut]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For WBA heavyweight title}}
|-
|43
|{{no2}}Loss
|37–5–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[John Ruiz]]
|UD
|12
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. John Ruiz II|Mar 3, 2001]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|2001|03|03}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Mandalay Bay Events Center]], Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Lost WBA heavyweight title}}
|-
|42
|{{yes2}}Win
|37–4–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[John Ruiz]]
|UD
|12
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. John Ruiz|Aug 12, 2000]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|2000|08|12}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Paris Las Vegas]], Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant WBA heavyweight title}}
|-
|41
|{{no2}}Loss
|36–4–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Lennox Lewis]]
|UD
|12
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Lennox Lewis II|Nov 13, 1999]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1999|11|13}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Lost WBA and IBF heavyweight titles;<br />For WBC and vacant [[list of IBO world champions#Heavyweight|IBO heavyweight]] titles}}
|-
|40
|{{draw}}Draw
|36–3–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Lennox Lewis]]
|{{abbr|SD|Split draw}}
|12
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Lennox Lewis|Mar 13, 1999]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1999|03|13}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA and IBF heavyweight titles;<br />For WBC heavyweight title}}
|-
|39
|{{yes2}}Win
|36–3
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Vaughn Bean]]
|UD
|12
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Vaughn Bean|Sep 19, 1998]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1998|09|19}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Georgia Dome]], Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA and IBF heavyweight titles}}
|-
|38
|{{yes2}}Win
|35–3
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Michael Moorer]]
|RTD
|8 (12), {{small|3:00}}
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Michael Moorer II|Nov 8, 1997]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1997|11|08}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA heavyweight title;<br />Won IBF heavyweight title}}
|-
|37
|{{yes2}}Win
|34–3
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Mike Tyson]]
|{{abbr|DQ|Disqualification}}
|3 (12), {{small|3:00}}
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II|Jun 28, 1997]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1997|06|28}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA heavyweight title;<br />Tyson disqualified for biting}}
|-
|36
|{{yes2}}Win
|33–3
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Mike Tyson]]
|TKO
|11 (12), {{small|0:37}}
|[[Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield|Nov 9, 1996]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1996|11|09}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[MGM Grand Garden Arena]], Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won WBA heavyweight title}}
|-
|35
|{{yes2}}Win
|32–3
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Bobby Czyz]]
|RTD
|5 (10), {{small|3:00}}
|[[Lennox Lewis vs. Ray Mercer|May 10, 1996]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1996|05|10}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|34
|{{no2}}Loss
|31–3
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Riddick Bowe]]
|TKO
|8 (12), {{small|0:58}}
|[[Riddick Bowe vs. Evander Holyfield III|Nov 4, 1995]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1995|11|04}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|33
|{{yes2}}Win
|31–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Ray Mercer]]
|UD
|10
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Ray Mercer|May 20, 1995]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1995|05|20}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|
|-
|32
|{{no2}}Loss
|30–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Michael Moorer]]
|MD
|12
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Michael Moorer|Apr 22, 1994]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1994|04|22}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Lost WBA and IBF heavyweight titles}}
|-
|31
|{{yes2}}Win
|30–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Riddick Bowe]]
|{{abbr|MD|Majority decision}}
|12
|[[Riddick Bowe vs. Evander Holyfield II|Nov 6, 1993]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1993|11|06}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won WBA and IBF heavyweight titles}}
|-
|30
|{{yes2}}Win
|29–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Alex Stewart (boxer)|Alex Stewart]]
|UD
|12
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Alex Stewart II|Jun 26, 1993]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1993|06|26}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|
|-
|29
|{{no2}}Loss
|28–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Riddick Bowe]]
|UD
|12
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Riddick Bowe|Nov 13, 1992]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1992|11|13}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Thomas & Mack Center]], Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Lost WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles}}
|-
|28
|{{yes2}}Win
|28–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Larry Holmes]]
|UD
|12
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Larry Holmes|Jun 19, 1992]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1992|06|19}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles}}
|-
|27
|{{yes2}}Win
|27–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Bert Cooper]]
|TKO
|7 (12), {{small|2:58}}
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Bert Cooper|Nov 23, 1991]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1991|11|23}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA and IBF heavyweight titles}}
|-
|26
|{{yes2}}Win
|26–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[George Foreman]]
|UD
|12
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. George Foreman|Apr 19, 1991]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1991|04|19}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles}}
|-
|25
|{{yes2}}Win
|25–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Buster Douglas]]
|KO
|3 (12), {{small|1:10}}
|[[Buster Douglas vs. Evander Holyfield|Oct 25, 1990]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1990|10|25}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[The Mirage]], Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won [[list of WBA world champions#Heavyweight|WBA]], [[list of WBC world champions#Heavyweight|WBC]], and [[list of IBF world champions#Heavyweight|IBF heavyweight titles]]}}
|-
|24
|{{yes2}}Win
|24–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Seamus McDonagh (boxer)|Seamus McDonagh]]
|TKO
|4 (12), {{small|0:44}}
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Seamus McDonagh|Jun 1, 1990]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1990|06|01}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title}}
|-
|23
|{{yes2}}Win
|23–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Alex Stewart (boxer)|Alex Stewart]]
|TKO
|8 (12), {{small|2:51}}
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Alex Stewart|Nov 4, 1989]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1989|11|04}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title}}
|-
|22
|{{yes2}}Win
|22–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Adílson Rodrigues]]
|KO
|2 (12), {{small|1:29}}
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Adílson Rodrigues|Jul 15, 1989]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1989|07|15}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title}}
|-
|21
|{{yes2}}Win
|21–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Michael Dokes]]
|TKO
|10 (12), {{small|1:41}}
|[[Michael Dokes vs. Evander Holyfield|Mar 11, 1989]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1989|03|11}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won WBC Continental Americas [[heavyweight]] title}}
|-
|20
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Pinklon Thomas]]
|RTD
|7 (10), {{small|3:00}}
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Pinklon Thomas|Dec 9, 1988]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1988|12|09}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|
|-
|19
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[James Tillis]]
|{{abbr|RTD|Corner retirement}}
|5 (10), {{small|3:00}}
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. James Tillis|Jul 15, 1988]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1988|07|15}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Caesars Tahoe]], [[Stateline, Nevada]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|18
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Carlos de León]]
|TKO
|8 (12), {{small|1:08}}
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Carlos De León|Apr 9, 1988]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1988|04|09}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA and IBF cruiserweight titles;<br />Won [[list of WBC world champions#Cruiserweight|WBC cruiserweight title]]}}
|-
|17
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Dwight Muhammad Qawi]]
|KO
|4 (15), {{small|2:30}}
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Dwight Muhammad Qawi II|Dec 5, 1987]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1987|12|05}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Boardwalk Hall|Convention Hall]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA and IBF cruiserweight titles}}
|-
|16
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Ossie Ocasio]]
|TKO
|11 (15), {{small|1:24}}
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Ossie Ocasio|Aug 15, 1987]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1987|08|15}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Parking de Nouveau Port, [[Saint-Tropez]], France}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA and IBF cruiserweight titles}}
|-
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Ricky Parkey]]
|TKO
|3 (15), {{small|2:44}}
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Rickey Parkey|May 15, 1987]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1987|05|15}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Caesars Palace]], [[Paradise, Nevada]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA cruiserweight title;<br />Won [[list of IBF world champions#Cruiserweight|IBF cruiserweight title]]}}
|-
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Henry Tillman]]
|TKO
|7 (15), {{small|1:43}}
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Henry Tillman|Feb 14, 1987]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1987|02|14}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Bally's Reno|Bally's]], [[Reno, Nevada]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA cruiserweight title}}
|-
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Mike Brothers
|TKO
|3 (10)
|Dec 8, 1986
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1986|12|08}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Paris]], France}}
|
|-
|12
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Dwight Muhammad Qawi]]
|{{abbr|SD|Split decision}}
|15
|[[Dwight Muhammad Qawi vs. Evander Holyfield|Jul 12, 1986]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1986|07|12}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won [[list of WBA world champions#Cruiserweight|WBA cruiserweight title]]}}
|-
|11
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Terry Mims
|KO
|5 (10), {{small|1:12}}
|May 28, 1986
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1986|05|18}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Metairie, Louisiana]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|10
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Jesse Shelby
|{{abbr|KO|Knockout}}
|3 (10)
|Apr 6, 1986
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1986|04|06}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.}}
|
|-
|9
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Chisanda Mutti]]
|TKO
|3 (10), {{small|1:37}}
|Mar 1, 1986
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1986|03|01}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Host Resort, [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|8
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Anthony Davis
|TKO
|4 (10), {{small|1:31}}
|Dec 21, 1985
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1985|12|21}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Pavilion Convention Center, [[Virginia Beach, Virginia]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|7
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Jeff Meachem
|TKO
|5 (8), {{small|1:02}}
|Oct 30, 1985
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1985|10|30}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|
|-
|6
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Rick Myers
|TKO
|1 (8), {{small|3:00}}
|Aug 29, 1985
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1985|08|29}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Omni Coliseum]], [[Atlanta]], Georgia, U.S.}}
|
|-
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Tyrone Booze]]
|UD
|8
|Jul 20, 1985
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1985|07|20}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Scope, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.}}
|
|-
|4
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Mark Rivera
|TKO
|2 (8), {{small|2:46}}
|Apr 20, 1985
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1985|04|20}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Memorial Coliseum (Corpus Christi)|Memorial Coliseum]], [[Corpus Christi, Texas]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|3
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Fred Brown
|{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}}
|1 (6), {{small|1:56}}
|Mar 13, 1985
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1985|03|13}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Norfolk Scope|Scope]], [[Norfolk, Virginia]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Eric Winbush
|UD
|6
|Jan 20, 1985
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1985|01|20}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Broadway by the Bay Theater]], [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Lionel Byarm
|{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}}
|6
|Nov 15, 1984
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|1984|11|15}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Madison Square Garden]], [[New York City]], New York, U.S.}}
|
|}

==Exhibition boxing record==
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|draws=
|nc=
|ko-wins=1
|ko-losses=1
|dec-wins=
|dec-losses=
|dq-wins=
|dq-losses=
}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round, time
!Date
!Age
!Location
!Notes
|-
|2
|{{no2}}Loss
|1–1 
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Vitor Belfort]]
|TKO
|1 (8), {{small|1:49}}
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort|Sep 11, 2021]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|2021|09|11}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood|Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino]], [[Hollywood, Florida]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|1
|{{Yes2}}Win
|1–0 
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Mitt Romney]]
|{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}} 
|2
|May 15, 2015
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1962|10|19|2015|05|15}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Salt Lake City]], [[Utah]], U.S.}}
|
|}

==Titles in boxing==
===Major world titles===
* [[list of WBA world champions#Cruiserweight|WBA cruiserweight champion]] (200&nbsp;lbs)
* [[list of WBC world champions#Cruiserweight|WBC cruiserweight champion]] (200&nbsp;lbs)
* [[list of IBF world champions#Cruiserweight|IBF cruiserweight champion]] (200&nbsp;lbs)
* [[list of WBA world champions#Heavyweight|WBA heavyweight champion]] (200+&nbsp;lbs) (4×)
* [[list of WBC world champions#Heavyweight|WBC heavyweight champion]] (200+&nbsp;lbs)
* [[list of IBF world champions#Heavyweight|IBF heavyweight champion]] (200+&nbsp;lbs) (3×)

===Minor world titles===
* [[World Boxing Federation (organization)|WBF]] [[heavyweight]] champion (200+&nbsp;lbs)

===Regional/International titles===
*[[World Boxing Council|WBC]] Continental Americas heavyweight champion (200+&nbsp;lbs)
* [[International Boxing Federation#History|USBA]] heavyweight champion (200+&nbsp;lbs)

===Undisputed titles===
* [[list of undisputed world boxing champions#Cruiserweight|Undisputed cruiserweight champion]]
* [[list of undisputed world boxing champions#Heavyweight|Undisputed heavyweight champion]]

==Pay-per-view bouts==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! No. !! Date !! Fight !! Billing !! Buys !! Network
|-
|align=center|1
|{{center|{{dts|1990|October|25|format=mdy}}}}
|'''Holyfield''' vs. '''Douglas'''
|[[Buster Douglas vs. Evander Holyfield|The Moment of Truth]]
|1,000,000<ref name="articles.orlandosentinel.com">[https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1990/10/27/douglas-holyfield-draws-record-pay-per-view-fans/ Douglas-Holyfield Draws Record Pay-per-view Fans], Orlando Sentinel article, 1990-10-12, Retrieved on 2014-03-15</ref>
|[[HBO]]
|-
|align=center|2
|{{center|{{dts|1991|April|19|format=mdy}}}}
|'''Holyfield''' vs. '''Foreman'''
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. George Foreman|The Battle of the Ages]]
|1,400,000<ref name="Yahoo Sports 7170256">{{cite web |last=Emen |first=Jake |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=ac-7170256 |title=Biggest boxing PPVs of all time – UFC |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com |date=2011-10-30 |access-date=2011-11-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124221124/http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=ac-7170256 |archive-date=2011-11-24 }}</ref>
|HBO
|-
|align=center|3
|{{center|{{dts|1992|June|19|format=mdy}}}}
|'''Holyfield''' vs. '''Holmes'''
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Larry Holmes|Class of Champions]]
|730,000<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131203134539/http://articles.philly.com/1992-11-13/sports/26007949_1_duva-and-finkel-tvko-holyfield-foreman-bout Pay-per-view Sales High For Holyfield-Bowe], ''Philadelphia Daily News'' article, 1992-11-13, Retrieved on 2013-11-16</ref>
|HBO
|-
|align=center|4
|{{center|{{dts|1992|November|13|format=mdy}}}}
|'''Holyfield''' vs. '''Bowe'''
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Riddick Bowe]]
|900,000<ref>[http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Evander_Holyfield_vs._Riddick_Bowe_(1st_meeting)], Box Rec, Retrieved on 2014-03-15</ref>
|HBO
|-
|align=center|5
|{{center|{{dts|1993|November|6|format=mdy}}}}
|'''Holyfield''' vs. '''Bowe II'''
|[[Riddick Bowe vs. Evander Holyfield II|Repeat or Revenge]]
|950,000<ref>[http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Riddick_Bowe_vs._Evander_Holyfield_(2nd_meeting)], Box Rec, Retrieved on 2014-03-15</ref>
|HBO
|-
|align=center|6
|{{center|{{dts|1995|May|20|format=mdy}}}}
|'''Holyfield''' vs. '''Mercer'''
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Ray Mercer|The Warrior Returns]]
|?<ref>{{cite news |author1=Gerald Eskenazi |title=BOXING; Holyfield Begins Comeback With Unanimous Decision Over Mercer |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/21/sports/boxing-holyfield-begins-comeback-with-unanimous-decision-over-mercer.html |access-date=15 October 2024 |work=New York Times |date=21 May 1995}}</ref>
|HBO
|-
|align=center|7
|{{center|{{dts|1995|November|4|format=mdy}}}}
|'''Holyfield''' vs. '''Bowe III'''
|[[Riddick Bowe vs. Evander Holyfield III|The Final Chapter]]
|650,000<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://variety.com/1995/tv/features/bowe-holyfield-knocks-out-26-mil-99123885/ |title= Bowe-Holyfield Knocks Out $26 Mil |magazine= Variety.com |date= 1995-11-12 |access-date= 2014-01-13}}</ref>
|HBO
|-
|align=center|8
|{{center|{{dts|1996|November|6|format=mdy}}}}
|'''Tyson''' vs. '''Holyfield'''
|[[Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield|Finally]]
|1,590,000<ref name="Yahoo Sports 7170256" />
|[[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]]
|-
|align=center|9
|{{center|{{dts|1997|June|28|format=mdy}}}}
|'''Holyfield''' vs. '''Tyson II'''
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II|The Sound and the Fury]]
|1,990,000<ref name="Yahoo Sports 7170256" />
|Showtime
|-
|align=center|10
|{{center|{{dts|1997|November|8|format=mdy}}}}
|'''Holyfield''' vs. '''Moorer II'''
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Michael Moorer II|Return to Glory]]
|550,000<ref>{{cite web |url= http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1997/11/14/Sports-Media/MEDIA-NOTES.aspx |title= Media notes |publisher= Sports Business Daily |date= 1997-11-14 |access-date= 2014-01-13 |archive-date= 2014-01-16 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140116134637/http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1997/11/14/Sports-Media/MEDIA-NOTES.aspx |url-status= dead }}</ref>
|Showtime
|-
|align=center|11
|{{center|{{dts|1999|March|13|format=mdy}}}}
|'''Holyfield''' vs. '''Lewis'''
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Lennox Lewis|Undisputed]]
|1,200,000<ref name="420,000BUYERS" >{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/16/sports/plus-tv-sports-lewis-tua-attracts-420000-buyers.html |title= Plus: TV Sports; Lewis-Tua Attracts 420,000 Buyers |publisher= N.Y. Times article |date= 2000-11-16 |access-date=2014-01-04 |first=Richard |last=Sandomir}}</ref>
|HBO
|-
|align=center|12
|{{center|{{dts|1999|November|13|format=mdy}}}}
|'''Holyfield''' vs. '''Lewis II'''
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Lennox Lewis II|Unfinished Business]]
|850,000<ref name="420,000BUYERS" />
|HBO
|-
|align=center|13
|{{center|{{dts|2000|August|12|format=mdy}}}}
|'''Holyfield''' vs. '''Ruiz'''
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. John Ruiz|Justice]]
|185,000<ref name="525,000Buys" >{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/05/sports/othersports/05TVTV.html |title= 525,000 Buys for Jones Bout |publisher= N.Y. Times article |date= 2003-03-05 |access-date=2014-01-04 }}</ref>
|Showtime
|-
|align=center|14
|{{center|{{dts|2001|March|3|format=mdy}}}}
|'''Holyfield''' vs. '''Ruiz II'''
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. John Ruiz II|The Last Word]]
|160,000<ref>{{cite web |author1=R. Thomas Umstead |title=Holyfield-Ruiz II Is a Stiff |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/holyfield-ruiz-ii-stiff-132374 |website=nexttv.com |publisher=Multichannel News |access-date=12 November 2024 |date=12 March 2001}}</ref>
|Showtime
|-
|align=center|15
|{{center|{{dts|2003|October|4|format=mdy}}}}
|'''Toney''' vs. '''Holyfield'''
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. James Toney|The War on October 4]]
|150,000<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.majorwager.com/forums/mess-hall/128792-holyfield-considering-retirement.html |title= Holyfield considering retirement |publisher= USA TODAY article |date= 2003-10-15 |access-date= 2014-01-13 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140116090701/http://www.majorwager.com/forums/mess-hall/128792-holyfield-considering-retirement.html |archive-date= 2014-01-16 |url-status= dead }}</ref>
|Showtime
|-
|align=center|16
|{{center|{{dts|2021|September|11|format=mdy}}}}
|'''Holyfield''' vs. '''Belfort'''
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort|No Holds Barred]]
|150,000<ref>{{cite web|last=Holland |first=Jesse |url=https://www.mmamania.com/2021/9/16/22677789/holyfield-belfort-ppv-buys-triller-bombs-fails-break-even-with-massive-money-loser-boxing-ufc |title=Holyfield-Belfort PPV buys: Triller bombs, fails to break even with 'massive money loser' |publisher=MMAmania.com |date=2021-09-16 |accessdate=2022-01-20}}</ref>
|Triller
|-
!
!
! colspan="2" | Total sales
! 12,455,000
!
|}

==See also==
*[[List of cruiserweight boxing champions]]
*[[List of heavyweight boxing champions]]
*[[List of WBA world champions]]
*[[List of WBC world champions]]
*[[List of IBF world champions]]
*[[List of undisputed boxing champions]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
*{{Official website}}
*{{BoxRec}}
*[http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/holy.htm Evander Holyfield profile] at Cyber Boxing Zone
*[http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/modern/holyfield.html Boxing Hall of Fame]
*[http://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00014242.html ESPN.com]
*{{Olympedia}}
*{{Olympics.com profile|evander-holyfield}}
*{{IMDb name}}
*[https://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=txholyfieldtitle Article about Holyfield vs. Ibragimov] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160226212410/http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=txholyfieldtitle |date=2016-02-26 }} at [[Yahoo Sports]]

{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-sports}}}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Amateur boxing titles}}
{{s-before|before=[[Ricky Womack]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of US national Golden Gloves light heavyweight champions|U.S. Golden Gloves<br />light heavyweight champion]]
|years=1984}}
{{s-after|after=Donald Stephens}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Regional boxing titles}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Michael Dokes]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[World Boxing Council|WBC]] Continental Americas<br />[[heavyweight]] champion
|years=March 11, 1989 – [[Buster Douglas vs. Evander Holyfield|October 25, 1990]]<br />Won world title}}
{{s-vac|next=Marcelo Victor Figueroa}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-vac|last=[[Shannon Briggs]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States Boxing Association|USBA]] heavyweight champion
|years=November 10, 2006 – February 2007<br />Vacated}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Eddie Chambers]]}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Minor world boxing titles}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-vac|last=[[Richel Hersisia]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[World Boxing Federation|WBF (Federation)]]<br />heavyweight champion
|years=April 10, 2010 – May 2011<br />Vacated}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Michael Grant (boxer)|Michael Grant]]}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Major world boxing titles}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Dwight Muhammad Qawi]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of WBA world champions#Cruiserweight|WBA cruiserweight champion]]
|years=[[Dwight Muhammad Qawi vs. Evander Holyfield|July 12, 1986]] – December 1988<br />Vacated}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Taoufik Belbouli]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Ricky Parkey]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of IBF world champions#Cruiserweight|IBF cruiserweight champion]]
|years=May 15, 1987 – December 1988<br />Vacated}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Glenn McCrory]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Carlos de León]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of WBC world champions#Cruiserweight|WBC cruiserweight champion]]
|years=April 9, 1988 – December 1988<br />Vacated}}
{{s-vac|next=Carlos de León}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-non|reason=Inaugural champion}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of undisputed boxing champions#Cruiserweight|Undisputed cruiserweight champion]]
|years=April 9, 1988 – December 1988<br />Titles fragmented}}
{{s-vac|next=[[O'Neil Bell]]}}
{{s-bef|rows=4|before=[[Buster Douglas]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[WBA Heavyweight Champion|WBA heavyweight champion]]
|years=October 25, 1990 – [[Evander Holyfield vs. Riddick Bowe|November 13, 1992]]}}
{{s-aft|rows=4|after=[[Riddick Bowe]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[WBC Heavyweight Champion|WBC heavyweight champion]]
|years=October 25, 1990 – November 13, 1992}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of IBF world champions#Heavyweight|IBF heavyweight champion]]
|years=October 25, 1990 – November 13, 1992}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of undisputed boxing champions#Heavyweight|Undisputed heavyweight champion]]
|years=October 25, 1990 – November 13, 1992}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|rows=2|before=Riddick Bowe}}
{{s-ttl|title=WBA heavyweight champion
|years=[[Riddick Bowe vs. Evander Holyfield II|November 6, 1993]] – [[Evander Holyfield vs. Michael Moorer|April 22, 1994]]}}
{{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[Michael Moorer]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=IBF heavyweight champion
|years=November 6, 1993 – April 22, 1994}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Mike Tyson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=WBA heavyweight champion
|years=[[Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield|November 9, 1996]] – [[Evander Holyfield vs. Lennox Lewis II|November 13, 1999]]}}
{{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[Lennox Lewis]]}}
{{s-bef|before=Michael Moorer}}
{{s-ttl|title=IBF heavyweight champion
|years=[[Evander Holyfield vs. Michael Moorer II|November 8, 1997]] – November 13, 1999}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-vac|last=Lennox Lewis}}
{{s-ttl|title=WBA heavyweight champion
|years=[[Evander Holyfield vs. John Ruiz|August 12, 2000]] – [[Evander Holyfield vs. John Ruiz II|March 3, 2001]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[John Ruiz]]}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{s-before|before=Mike Tyson}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year#1980s|''The Ring'' Fighter of the Year]]
|years=1987}}
{{s-after|after=Mike Tyson}}
{{s-before|before=[[Pernell Whitaker]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Sugar Ray Robinson Award#1990s|BWAA Fighter of the Year]]
|years=1990}}
{{s-after|after=[[James Toney]]}}
{{s-before|before={{nowrap|[[Robert Quiroga]] vs.}}<br />[[Akeem Anifowoshe]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[The Ring magazine Fight of the Year#1990s|''The Ring'' Fight of the Year]]<br />{{small|vs. Riddick Bowe}}
|years=1992}}
{{s-after|after=[[Michael Carbajal vs. Humberto González|Michael Carbajal vs.<br />Humberto González]]}}
{{s-before|before={{nowrap|[[Aaron Davis (boxer)|Aaron Davis]] vs.}}<br />[[Mark Breland]]<br />{{small|Round 9}} }}
{{s-ttl|title=[[The Ring magazine Round of the Year#1990s|''The Ring'' Round of the Year]]<br />{{small|vs. Riddick Bowe}}<br />{{small|Round 10}}
|years=1992}}
{{s-after|after={{nowrap|[[Terry Norris (boxer)|Terry Norris]] vs.}}<br />[[Troy Waters]]<br />{{small|Round 2}} }}
{{s-before|rows=2|before=[[Oscar De La Hoya]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year#1990s|''The Ring'' Fighter of the Year]]
|years=1996, 1997}}
{{s-after|after=[[Floyd Mayweather Jr.]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=BWAA Fighter of the Year
|years=1996, 1997}}
{{s-after|after=[[Shane Mosley]]}}
{{s-before|before={{nowrap|[[Saman Sorjaturong]] vs.}}<br />Humberto González}}
{{s-ttl|title=''The Ring'' Fight of the Year<br />{{small|vs. Mike Tyson}}
|years=1996}}
{{s-after|after={{nowrap|[[Arturo Gatti]] vs.}}<br />[[Gabriel Ruelas]]}}
{{s-before|before=Willy Salazar<br />{{small|TKO7 [[Danny Romero (boxer)|Danny Romero]]}} }}
{{s-ttl|title=[[The Ring magazine Upset of the Year#1990s|''The Ring'' Upset of the Year]]<br />{{small|TKO11 Mike Tyson}}
|years=1996}}
{{s-after|after=[[Vince Phillips]]<br />{{small|TKO10 [[Kostya Tszyu]]}} }}
{{s-before|before=[[Jonah Lomu]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year|BBC Overseas Sports<br />Personality of the Year]]
|years=1996
|with=[[Michael Johnson (sprinter)|Michael Johnson]]}}
{{s-after|after=[[Martina Hingis]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Evander Holyfield}}
{{Footer USA Boxing 1984 Summer Olympics}}
{{Ring magazine Fighter of the Year}}
{{Sugar Ray Robinson Award}}
{{BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year}}
{{Commons category|Evander Holyfield}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Holyfield, Evander}}
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:African-American boxers]]
[[Category:African-American Christians]]
[[Category:American sportspeople in doping cases]]
[[Category:Boxers at the 1984 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Boxers from Alabama]]
[[Category:Boxers from Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Doping cases in boxing]]
[[Category:Heavyweight boxers]]
[[Category:International Boxing Federation champions]]
[[Category:Light-heavyweight boxers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:National Golden Gloves champions]]
[[Category:Olympic bronze medalists for the United States in boxing]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:People from Atmore, Alabama]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Fayette County, Georgia]]
[[Category:World Boxing Association champions]]
[[Category:World Boxing Council champions]]
[[Category:World cruiserweight boxing champions]]
[[Category:World heavyweight boxing champions]]
[[Category:American male boxers]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1984 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:American Christians]]
[[Category:American autobiographers]]
[[Category:BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year winners]]
[[Category:Boxers at the 1983 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1983 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Pan American Games silver medalists for the United States in boxing]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:Participants in Argentine reality television series]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]