On This Day: Evander Holyfield needs just one right hand to drop Buster Douglas for the full count in Las Vegas
Punters race to position bets on Evander Holyfield after the weigh-in
EVANDER HOLYFIELD w ko 3 JAMES ‘BUSTER’ DOUGLAS
October 25, 1990; Mirage Resort & On line casino, Las Vegas, NV
DON’T watch this and anticipate one of many best fights in heavyweight historical past. However it’s price revisiting nonetheless. The end from Holyfield, as he sways again from a wayward uppercut earlier than punishing Douglas along with his proper hand is mightily spectacular even when the efforts of the champion to rise drew comprehensible criticism on the time. There are additionally flashes – the Buster jab and a wise proper hand in spherical three – of what a terrific struggle this may need been if Douglas had regained the willpower that fuelled his win over Mike Tyson, eight months earlier than. Although the hangover from this bout tarnished Douglas for years, it took a very long time for Holyfield to generate the respect he deserved, too.
DID YOU KNOW? An enormous $200,000 was accepted
by bookmakers for bets on Holyfield to win after Douglas’ weight (at 246lbs be
was 15lbs greater than when he beat Tyson) was revealed on the eve of the bout.
WATCH OUT FOR: The pre-fight stuff is fascinating, like legendary author Bert Sugar’s pre-fight prediction that Douglas will win. It’s so smug and authoritative, you’d be forgiven for double-checking the end result.
