The 62-year-old became a two-weight undisputed champion during his iconic boxing career, first reigning at cruiserweight before stepping up. Holyfield remains the only four-time heavyweight champion, winning his first title with a KO victory over Buster Douglas in 1990.
‘The Real Deal’ fought hall of famer Lennox Lewis during his heavyweight run and earned two victories over Tyson, who was infamously disqualified for biting Holyfield’s ear in their rematch. However, Holyfield has revealed that at least three boxers hit harder than Tyson as he named the toughest opponent of his career.
Listing his hardest-hitting opponents, Holyfield paid Riddick Bowe extra credit. “Riddick. Riddick Bowe, he did knock me down and all this, but he’s the one that gave me more trouble than anybody,” he said on The Big Podcast with Shaquille O’Neal. Holyfield fought Bowe for the first time in 1992. Having avenged his first career defeat, their trilogy fight in 1995 saw Holyfield suffer a TKO loss.
When asked about the hardest punchers he faced, one name immediately came to Hoylfield’s mind. “Of course, George Foreman. It felt like something fell on me, like something fell on your toes,” Holyfield explained.
“Here I am, trying to act like it weren’t nothing. My people are telling me, ‘Come on back, the bell rung’. But my leg can’t stop and I knew if I moved I was going to fall on my face. This is going to make George kill me next time.”
Listing his hardest-hitting opponents, Holyfield paid Riddick Bowe extra credit. “Riddick. Riddick Bowe, he did knock me down and all this, but he’s the one that gave me more trouble than anybody,” he said on The Big Podcast with Shaquille O’Neal. Holyfield fought Bowe for the first time in 1992. Having avenged his first career defeat, their trilogy fight in 1995 saw Holyfield suffer a TKO loss.
When asked about the hardest punchers he faced, one name immediately came to Hoylfield’s mind. “Of course, George Foreman. It felt like something fell on me, like something fell on your toes,” Holyfield explained.
“Here I am, trying to act like it weren’t nothing. My people are telling me, ‘Come on back, the bell rung’. But my leg can’t stop and I knew if I moved I was going to fall on my face. This is going to make George kill me next time.”