From The Vault 11.26.09: Evander Holyfield vs. Lennox Lewis

Posted by Patrick Cassidy on 11.26.2009

Evander Holyfield vs. Lennox Lewis ended with one of the most contested results in all of boxing history. Was the result of this Heavyweight unification bout a draw, or is the original decision the right one? 411’s Patrick Cassidy looks back at the classic fight and breaks it all down in the latest edition of From The Vault!



Buildup: The bout between Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis was one of extreme importance. It stood to be the first time the heavyweight title would be unified since 1992 when Riddick Bowe relinquished the WBC belt to avoid a showdown between Lennox Lewis. During that time the various belts had traded hands through a myriad of champions. Lennox Lewis claimed his share of the WBC belt by defeating Oliver McCall in a bizarre rematch that shocked many in the audience. Lewis would go on to defend and easily defeat a myriad of opponents including Andrew Golata and Shanon Briggs. Holyfield, on the other hand had generally been recognized as the top heavyweight in the world. He had taken the WBA belt from Mike Tyson and followed that victory with a win over Michael Moore for the IBF title. It seemed only a matter of time before these two would meet and finally unify the Heavyweight title. However, the politics of boxing prevented this fight from happening for over two years, during the waiting period each man toiled away fighting various mandatory opponents such as the legendary Vaughn Bean and Zeljko Mavrovic. Finally, politics were put aside and the two agreed to meet up in early 1999 and the venue would the mecca of heavyweight boxing, Madison Square Garden. So here we are, March 13th, 1999...



Round 1 Arthur Mercante Jr is the referee for this fight, nice nod to the history of the arena as his father refereed Ali/Frazier in the very same building. Lewis comes out charging but doesn't land much. Lewis lands a strong 1 - 2 combo. We're halfway throught he round and Lewis's jab has controlled the bout so far. Lewis is picking off most of Holyfield's advances and he lands a two jab combo to push Holyfield back. The only thing that can be said about Holyfield in this round is he's blocking Lewis's overhand right. Holyfield finally lands a left hook in the corner as the round is coming to a close. Holyfield lifts Lewis off his feet and plants him to the ground as the bell rings. Holyfield was more active later in the round but that was definetely Lewis's round. 10 - 9 Lewis.

Round 2 Lewis starts the round off with two strong rights to the jaw of Holyfield. Holyfield is going to have to cut the size down between the two to be effective. Lewis gets Holyfield on the ropes and is throwing some chopping right hands to Holyfield's temple. Lewis's jab is finding it's home and it's clear this fight can't continue like this if Holyfield wants to win. Lewis lands another solid 1 - 2 combo as the british fans erupt for their man. Lewis still pumping that jab and it's stopping all of Holyfield's advances. Holyfield gets inside as the round comes to a close but Lewis quickly ties him up. Big round for Lewis. Lewis 20 - 18

Round 3 Lewis pumps the jab and throws a right to start the round. Mercante Jr reprimands Lewis for pushing on the head. Holyfield is much more active this round and throwing combinations but they're mostly blocked by Lewis's high hands. Holyfield lands some hooks to the body and but he's met by a Lewis uppercut. Holyfield lands some solid left hands in the corner and he's scoring but' he's still getting tagged by the jab. Lewis clinches and they're back at the center of the ring and his jab is firing away. Lewis is throwing some quick combinations and moving away from Holyfield. Lewis appears a bit tired and Holyfield lands a solid right hook and pushes the bigger man towards the ropes with twenty seconds left. Lewis lands a 1 - 2 to finish the round but that is certainly Holyfield's round. Holyfield returns to his stool looking spent, perhaps he's only capable of fighting in spurts. 29 - 28 Lewis



Round 4 The round starts with Lewis throwing his jab and trying to keep Holyfield on the outside. Lewis's jab is still dropping and can't get lazy with it. Holyfield's fans are beginning to come alive as Lewis keeps throwing the jab out there in a lazy fashion but Holyfield is not countering. Lewis throws a right hand after a double jab halfway through the round and Lewis has reclaimed the momentum of this fight. Lewis lands three jabs and here comes Holyfield who pushes him into the corner but he can't sustain the attack and Lewis gets back to the center of the ring with 40 seconds remaining. Lewis working the jab as Holyfield looks for his opportunity to score. Lewis is handling Holyfield well and is successfully moving away from every one of Holyfield's offensive spurts. The bell sounds and Lewis wins that round but it was close. 39 - 37 Lewis

Round 5 Holyfield comes out a little more active than last round and has landed some rights but Lewis has him hurt with a counter punch to the back of the head. Holyfield is a bit fazed and is now on the ropes as Lewis lands an overhand right that stunned Holyfield. Holyfield is covering up but Lewis is throwing bombs while Holyfield remains on the ropes. Right uppercut and cross land and Holyfield is going to have to get away from the ropes. Lewis lands another right and Holyfield finally gets away from the ropes at the half way point in the round. Lewis piled up the points there. Holyfield trying to regain some momentum but Lewis's jab is landing and now he's working both the body and head of Holyfield. We have thirty seconds left and Holyfield throws two right hooks that land on Lewis's arms. Holyfield showing plenty of heart but Lewis shows a little swagger as he dances to close the round. That was all Lewis. 49 - 46 Lewis>

During the break, Manny Steward is telling Lewis that Holyfield is too slow for him and he needs to capitalize on it. I love Manny for that very reason, he's easily the most honest trainer. He'll tell you exactly how it is. .

Round 6 Holyfield comes out and is slipping Lewis's jab and lands a big left hook that pushes Lewis back. Lewis ties up but Holyfield throws a 1 - 2 hook combo but it fails to land. Holyfield lands three jabs in succession against Lewis who is now dropping his hands. Lewis appears tired and Holyfield needs to make him pay. Holyfield now stalking Lewis with 90 seconds left in the round. Holyfield still following Lewis around and he gets tagged with a right uppercut for his efforts. Lewis's hands are still a little too low but Holyfield is not making him pay as he seems to be taking a breather. 30 seconds left and Holyfield gets tagged with a 1 - 2. Lewis now dropping his hands again and once again Holyfield is not making him pay. The bell sounds and. that's an interesting round to score, Lewis and Holyfield both had their spots but I'll give it to Holyfield based on that left that had Lewis backing up. 58 - 56 Lewis

Round 7 We start with both men wrestling each other to the ground which was more reminiscent of a pro wrestling match than a prize fight. Both men are angry and both are reprimanded by Merante Jr. Lewis comes out of the break with a left right upper cut that hurt Holyfield. Lewis pumps about six jabs at Holyfield who was on the ropes and then Holyfield explodes on Lewis. Holyfield now stalking Lewis trying to get his combinations in. We're at the halfway point and lewis lands a 1 - 2 - 3 combo and follows it up with a great uppercut and left hook. He's now working the body and lands another big right. Lewis is having a great round. Lewis's fans are going nuts and he now dances around Holyfield and is picking off all of his offense. Lewis is throwing that right uppercut with increased activity. Lewis lands a 1 - 2 combination as the round closes. 68 - 65 Lewis

Round 8 Holyfield comes out throwing straight lefts to the body that are landing but Lewis's jab is finding it's home. Both men are dancing around each other but Holyfield is taking all of Lewis's combinations with relative ease. Holyfield's jab is starting to find it's home and Holyfield seems to be coming alive. He lands a strong looping left hook and right hand to the jaw of Lewis who needs to get that jab back in action. We have a minute left in a round that has been carried by Holyfield. Holyfield lands a right uppercut and throws his jab at a retreating Lewis. Lewis starting to throw the jab but it doesn't have much on it. With about 10 seconds left, Lewis lands a strong right and does some work to the body but it wasn't enough to take the round. Lewis  77 - 75



Round 9 Lewis comes out working the jab with Holyfield still coming in and trying to land his combinations. Holyfield looks far fresher at this point. Lewis's jab is keeping Holyfield from landing his bigger shots. Lewis is having a better time this round moving away from Holyfield while keeping him at bay with his pawing jab. We have a minute left and Holyfield's not yet landed anything of real interest but he's coming forward. Holyfield gets hit with a right counter punch but he's still coming forward. Lewis throws the jab as he backs away with thirty seconds left. Lewis continues to pump that jab into Holyfield's guard as the round comes to a close. Interesting round, Holyfield cae forward but barely landed anything while Lewis picked him off with a pawing jab. Could go either way but I gave it to Lewis 87  - 84. Holyfield needs at least a knockdown to win this fight according to my scorecard.

Round 10 Holyfield comes out landing to the body and now that he's inside he goes up top and lands a clubbing right hand which forces Lewis to tie up. Lewis is smiling but he's not fooling anyone, he was hurt. Lewis goes back to the jab as Holyfield jumps in and both men end up in a clinch. Lewis throwing the jab but gets caught with a counter right hand that sends Lewis's head backwards. We're at the halfway point of this round and Holyfield is refusing to go away. Lewis is having some success with the left and the right but Holyfield comes right back with more body work. Holyfield is showing some serious bravery as he lands a great 1 - 2 counter that rocked Lewis. Lewis is clearly tired as we have 45 seconds left in the round. Lewis lands some jabs but they're not having the same deterring effect on Holyfield as they did earlier. Strong round for Holyfield 96 - 94.

Round 11 Lewis has two rounds left and he needs to take one of these rounds if he wants to defeat Holyfield on a Don King promoted card in America. Round 11 begins and Lewis comes out with a double jab followed by a right. Lewis seems to realize the situation and is making his jab count while dancing away from Holyfield. Holyfield comes forward with a looping left hand but Lewis avoids it. Lewis lands a double jab and picks off a right hand from Holyfield who then gets met with a counter right from Lewis. We're at the halfway point and Lewis is effectively dealing with Holyfield's aggression here. As I say that Holyfield lands a right hand to Lewis. Holyfield gets Lewis towards the ropes but he's caught in a clinch. We're in the last minute and Lewis is dancing around the ring throwing the jab but Holyfield is still the aggressor. Holyfield comes in with another looping left and it's blocked and Lewis gets a counter right in with 10 seconds left. Lewis lands a strong jab and it's been another close round but I give it to Lewis who makes a motion towards the British fans in the cheap seats. Lewis 106 - 103

Round 12 Lewis is comfortably ahead on my scorecards but their were certainly some close rounds. Lewis is pumping the jab with conviction but Holyfield is still getting inside and landing. Lewis now throws a 1 - 2 which hits paydirt. Lewis is fighting like he did in the first two rounds as his jab is just to much for Holyfield. We're at the halfway point and Holyfield is not really scoring while Lewis is landing the jab enough to keep Evander at bay. Lewis pumps his jab and prevents Holyfield from landing. Lewis is having a strong round here and he's dancing around Holyfield who can not really hit Lewis. Lewis throws out a jab and he now lands a right cross which buckles Holyfield as the bell sounds and Lewis takes the round in convincing fashion. 116 - 112 Lewis. Their were some close rounds in this fight but not nearly enough to believe that Holyfield should win this fight. He had his spots where he challenged Lewis but it seemed every time he got something going, Lewis would find a way to stop his momentum.



Alright, we're going to the scorecards and this one appears to be in the bag for Lewis. However, we can't forget that Don King cards in the 90's were not always known for delivering fair decisions. Eugenia Williams has the fight 115-113... for Holyfield. This certainly can't be delivered by a competent judge, that is a scorecard of either a mental defective or someone whose palms have been greased. Let's hope the other two were not under the influence... Stanley Christodoulou has it 116 - 113 for Lewis, and it appears someone was actually watching the fight. The final judge Larry O'Connell whose had his own history of questionable scorecards has the fight 115 - 115... a draw. Yes, Lennox Lewis's attempt to become the undisputed champion of the world was taken away from him by two incompetent judges who further sullied boxing as a dirty and corrupt sport

It's decisions like this that turn people away from the sport, it gives our sport the image of corruption which is a hard one to clean. Holyfield fought a galant fight but he was certainly not the better fighter and any impartial viewer could see this. The HBO announce team is beside themselves calling this what it was "a travesty" and it's very hard to dispute that fact.

Luckily, this injustice would not stand as these two would meet again six months later in Las Vegas. Lewis would once again easily defeat Holyfield but this time he had competent judges to back him up. Lewis would claim the Undisputed Heavyweight title and go on to etch his legacy further by defeating what was left of the Heavyweight landscape. He made easy work of such pretenders as Michael Grant and David Tua before being sidetracked by one Hasim Rahman. He would avenge that defeat and move on to claim his title as the best heavyweight of the last twenty years when he savagely knocked out Mike Tyson in one of the biggest prize fights of all time. He would cap off his career with a win over Vitali Klitscko and retire to a position on the HBO announce team.

Holyfield would continue his career but he was hardly the same fighter, He split a trilogy with John Ruiz but it seemed in each fight, Ruiz did more than the aging champion. Holyfield would have one more taste of glory when he defeated Hasim Rahman but it would be short lived as he was easily defeated by Chris Byrd.for the IBF belt. Holyfield continues to fight on, hoping to become the undisputed champion but that seems more dream than reality.

This fight was a great technical showcase of two of the best heavyweights to ever live. It was a shame it had to end the way it did but unfortunately that's the nature of our sport. The best do not always get the nod. We were just lucky to have such a great era of heavyweight boxing in the 90's, and I can only hope that next great generation is not too far off.

Well that's all I have, let me know how you saw the fight and any opinions of the Heavyweight battles of the 90's. Also drop by my Twitter Account, to hear my various live tweets and scoring of fights as well as other nonsense.

See ya next week.