Evander Holyfield (born October 19, 1962) is an American former professional boxer who competed between 1984 and 2011. He reigned as the undisputed champion in the 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 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 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, Holyfield represented the United States at the 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.
BoxRec-style profile
- Birth name: Evander Holyfield
- Born: October 19, 1962 — Atmore, Alabama, U.S.
- Nationality: American
- Height: 6 ft 2½ in
- Reach: 77½ in (197 cm)
- Stance: Orthodox
- Pro debut: Nov 15, 1984 (Win by UD vs Lionel Byarm)
- Last bout: May 7, 2011 (Win by TKO vs Brian Nielsen)
- Total rounds boxed: 443 (summed from the bout table below)
- Divisions: Cruiserweight, Heavyweight
- KO percentage: 65.9% (29 KO wins in 44 wins)
- Titles held (major, with reign dates): WBA cruiserweight title July 12, 1986 – 1988 (won from Dwight Muhammad Qawi; added the IBF title on May 15, 1987 against Ricky Parkey and the WBC title on April 9, 1988 against Carlos de León, unifying the division; the reign closed with the move to heavyweight); WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles October 25, 1990 – November 13, 1992 (won from Buster Douglas; defended against George Foreman, Bert Cooper and Larry Holmes; lost to Riddick Bowe); WBA and IBF heavyweight titles November 6, 1993 – April 22, 1994 (regained from Riddick Bowe; lost to Michael Moorer); WBA heavyweight title November 9, 1996 – November 13, 1999 (won from Mike Tyson; added the IBF title on November 8, 1997 against Michael Moorer; lost both to Lennox Lewis); WBA heavyweight title (fourth reign) August 12, 2000 – March 3, 2001 (won the vacant title from John Ruiz; lost the rematch) — all dates per the bout table
Record at a glance
- Total bouts: 57
- Wins: 44
- Wins by KO: 29
- Losses: 10
- Losses by KO: 2
- Draws: 2
- No contests: 1
- Born: October 19, 1962 — Atmore, Alabama, U.S.
- Nationality: American
- Height: 6 ft 2½ in
- Reach: 77½ in (197 cm)
- Stance: Orthodox
- Divisions: Cruiserweight, Heavyweight
Fight-by-fight record
| No. | Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Round/Time | Venue / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nov 15, 1984 | Lionel Byarm | Win | UD | 6 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| 2 | Jan 20, 1985 | Eric Winbush | Win | UD | 6 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 3 | Mar 13, 1985 | Fred Brown | Win | TKO | 1 (6), 1:56 | Scope, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
| 4 | Apr 20, 1985 | Mark Rivera | Win | TKO | 2 (8), 2:46 | Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S. |
| 5 | Jul 20, 1985 | Tyrone Booze | Win | UD | 8 | Scope, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
| 6 | Aug 29, 1985 | Rick Myers | Win | TKO | 1 (8), 3:00 | Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| 7 | Oct 30, 1985 | Jeff Meachem | Win | TKO | 5 (8), 1:02 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 8 | Dec 21, 1985 | Anthony Davis | Win | TKO | 4 (10), 1:31 | Pavilion Convention Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S. |
| 9 | Mar 1, 1986 | Chisanda Mutti | Win | TKO | 3 (10), 1:37 | Host Resort, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| 10 | Apr 6, 1986 | Jesse Shelby | Win | KO | 3 (10) | Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S. |
| 11 | May 28, 1986 | Terry Mims | Win | KO | 5 (10), 1:12 | Metairie, Louisiana, U.S. |
| 12 | Jul 12, 1986 | Dwight Muhammad Qawi | Win | SD | 15 | Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won WBA cruiserweight title |
| 13 | Dec 8, 1986 | Mike Brothers | Win | TKO | 3 (10) | Paris, France |
| 14 | Feb 14, 1987 | Henry Tillman | Win | TKO | 7 (15), 1:43 | Bally's, Reno, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA cruiserweight title |
| 15 | May 15, 1987 | Ricky Parkey | Win | TKO | 3 (15), 2:44 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA cruiserweight title; Won IBF cruiserweight title |
| 16 | Aug 15, 1987 | Ossie Ocasio | Win | TKO | 11 (15), 1:24 | Parking de Nouveau Port, Saint-Tropez, France — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA and IBF cruiserweight titles |
| 17 | Dec 5, 1987 | Dwight Muhammad Qawi | Win | KO | 4 (15), 2:30 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA and IBF cruiserweight titles |
| 18 | Apr 9, 1988 | Carlos de León | Win | TKO | 8 (12), 1:08 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA and IBF cruiserweight titles; Won WBC cruiserweight title |
| 19 | Jul 15, 1988 | James Tillis | Win | RTD | 5 (10), 3:00 | Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S. |
| 20 | Dec 9, 1988 | Pinklon Thomas | Win | RTD | 7 (10), 3:00 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 21 | Mar 11, 1989 | Michael Dokes | Win | TKO | 10 (12), 1:41 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title |
| 22 | Jul 15, 1989 | Adílson Rodrigues | Win | KO | 2 (12), 1:29 | Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title |
| 23 | Nov 4, 1989 | Alex Stewart | Win | TKO | 8 (12), 2:51 | Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title |
| 24 | Jun 1, 1990 | Seamus McDonagh | Win | TKO | 4 (12), 0:44 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title |
| 25 | Oct 25, 1990 | Buster Douglas | Win | KO | 3 (12), 1:10 | The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles |
| 26 | Apr 19, 1991 | George Foreman | Win | UD | 12 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles |
| 27 | Nov 23, 1991 | Bert Cooper | Win | TKO | 7 (12), 2:58 | Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA and IBF heavyweight titles |
| 28 | Jun 19, 1992 | Larry Holmes | Win | UD | 12 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles |
| 29 | Nov 13, 1992 | Riddick Bowe | Loss | UD | 12 | Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Lost WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles |
| 30 | Jun 26, 1993 | Alex Stewart | Win | UD | 12 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 31 | Nov 6, 1993 | Riddick Bowe | Win | MD | 12 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won WBA and IBF heavyweight titles |
| 32 | Apr 22, 1994 | Michael Moorer | Loss | MD | 12 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Lost WBA and IBF heavyweight titles |
| 33 | May 20, 1995 | Ray Mercer | Win | UD | 10 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 34 | Nov 4, 1995 | Riddick Bowe | Loss | TKO | 8 (12), 0:58 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. |
| 35 | May 10, 1996 | Bobby Czyz | Win | RTD | 5 (10), 3:00 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| 36 | Nov 9, 1996 | Mike Tyson | Win | TKO | 11 (12), 0:37 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won WBA heavyweight title |
| 37 | Jun 28, 1997 | Mike Tyson | Win | DQ | 3 (12), 3:00 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA heavyweight title; Tyson disqualified for biting |
| 38 | Nov 8, 1997 | Michael Moorer | Win | RTD | 8 (12), 3:00 | Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA heavyweight title; Won IBF heavyweight title |
| 39 | Sep 19, 1998 | Vaughn Bean | Win | UD | 12 | Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA and IBF heavyweight titles |
| 40 | Mar 13, 1999 | Lennox Lewis | Draw | SD | 12 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA and IBF heavyweight titles; For WBC heavyweight title |
| 41 | Nov 13, 1999 | Lennox Lewis | Loss | UD | 12 | Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Lost WBA and IBF heavyweight titles; For WBC and vacant IBO heavyweight titles |
| 42 | Aug 12, 2000 | John Ruiz | Win | UD | 12 | Paris Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant WBA heavyweight title |
| 43 | Mar 3, 2001 | John Ruiz | Loss | UD | 12 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Lost WBA heavyweight title |
| 44 | Dec 15, 2001 | John Ruiz | Draw | SD | 12 | Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. — ★ Title fight — For WBA heavyweight title |
| 45 | Jun 1, 2002 | Hasim Rahman | Win | TD | 8 (12), 1:40 | Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. — Split TD: Rahman sustained eye swelling from an accidental head clash |
| 46 | Dec 14, 2002 | Chris Byrd | Loss | UD | 12 | Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. — ★ Title fight — For vacant IBF heavyweight title |
| 47 | Oct 4, 2003 | James Toney | Loss | TKO | 9 (12), 1:42 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. |
| 48 | Nov 13, 2004 | Larry Donald | Loss | UD | 12 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. — ★ Title fight — For vacant NABC heavyweight title |
| 49 | Aug 18, 2006 | Jeremy Bates | Win | TKO | 2 (12), 2:56 | American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| 50 | Nov 10, 2006 | Fres Oquendo | Win | UD | 12 | Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant USBA heavyweight title |
| 51 | Mar 17, 2007 | Vinny Maddalone | Win | TKO | 3 (10), 2:48 | American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S. |
| 52 | Jun 30, 2007 | Lou Savarese | Win | UD | 10 | Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
| 53 | Oct 13, 2007 | Sultan Ibragimov | Loss | UD | 12 | Khodynka Arena, Moscow, Russia — ★ Title fight — For WBO heavyweight title |
| 54 | Dec 20, 2008 | Nikolai Valuev | Loss | MD | 12 | Hallenstadion, Zürich, Switzerland — ★ Title fight — For WBA heavyweight title |
| 55 | Apr 10, 2010 | Francois Botha | Win | TKO | 8 (12), 0:55 | Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant WBF (Federation) heavyweight title |
| 56 | Jan 22, 2011 | Sherman Williams | NC | NC | 3 (12), 3:00 | The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, U.S. — ★ Title fight — WBF (Federation) heavyweight title at stake; Holyfield cut from an accidental head clash |
| 57 | May 7, 2011 | Brian Nielsen | Win | TKO | 10 (12), 2:49 | Koncerthuset, Copenhagen, Denmark |
Titles & notes
Major title reigns (start–end): WBA cruiserweight title July 12, 1986 – 1988 (won from Dwight Muhammad Qawi; added the IBF title on May 15, 1987 against Ricky Parkey and the WBC title on April 9, 1988 against Carlos de León, unifying the division; the reign closed with the move to heavyweight); WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles October 25, 1990 – November 13, 1992 (won from Buster Douglas; defended against George Foreman, Bert Cooper and Larry Holmes; lost to Riddick Bowe); WBA and IBF heavyweight titles November 6, 1993 – April 22, 1994 (regained from Riddick Bowe; lost to Michael Moorer); WBA heavyweight title November 9, 1996 – November 13, 1999 (won from Mike Tyson; added the IBF title on November 8, 1997 against Michael Moorer; lost both to Lennox Lewis); WBA heavyweight title (fourth reign) August 12, 2000 – March 3, 2001 (won the vacant title from John Ruiz; lost the rematch) — all dates per the bout table
- Jul 12, 1986 vs Dwight Muhammad Qawi: Won WBA cruiserweight title
- Feb 14, 1987 vs Henry Tillman: Retained WBA cruiserweight title
- May 15, 1987 vs Ricky Parkey: Retained WBA cruiserweight title; Won IBF cruiserweight title
- Aug 15, 1987 vs Ossie Ocasio: Retained WBA and IBF cruiserweight titles
- Dec 5, 1987 vs Dwight Muhammad Qawi: Retained WBA and IBF cruiserweight titles
- Apr 9, 1988 vs Carlos de León: Retained WBA and IBF cruiserweight titles; Won WBC cruiserweight title
- Mar 11, 1989 vs Michael Dokes: Won WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title
- Jul 15, 1989 vs Adílson Rodrigues: Retained WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title
- Nov 4, 1989 vs Alex Stewart: Retained WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title
- Jun 1, 1990 vs Seamus McDonagh: Retained WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title
- Oct 25, 1990 vs Buster Douglas: Won WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles
- Apr 19, 1991 vs George Foreman: Retained WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles
- Nov 23, 1991 vs Bert Cooper: Retained WBA and IBF heavyweight titles
- Jun 19, 1992 vs Larry Holmes: Retained WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles
- Nov 13, 1992 vs Riddick Bowe: Lost WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles
- Nov 6, 1993 vs Riddick Bowe: Won WBA and IBF heavyweight titles
- Apr 22, 1994 vs Michael Moorer: Lost WBA and IBF heavyweight titles
- Nov 9, 1996 vs Mike Tyson: Won WBA heavyweight title
- Jun 28, 1997 vs Mike Tyson: Retained WBA heavyweight title; Tyson disqualified for biting
- Nov 8, 1997 vs Michael Moorer: Retained WBA heavyweight title; Won IBF heavyweight title
- Sep 19, 1998 vs Vaughn Bean: Retained WBA and IBF heavyweight titles
- Mar 13, 1999 vs Lennox Lewis: Retained WBA and IBF heavyweight titles; For WBC heavyweight title
- Nov 13, 1999 vs Lennox Lewis: Lost WBA and IBF heavyweight titles; For WBC and vacant IBO heavyweight titles
- Aug 12, 2000 vs John Ruiz: Won vacant WBA heavyweight title
- Mar 3, 2001 vs John Ruiz: Lost WBA heavyweight title
- Dec 15, 2001 vs John Ruiz: For WBA heavyweight title
- Dec 14, 2002 vs Chris Byrd: For vacant IBF heavyweight title
- Nov 13, 2004 vs Larry Donald: For vacant NABC heavyweight title
- Nov 10, 2006 vs Fres Oquendo: Won vacant USBA heavyweight title
- Oct 13, 2007 vs Sultan Ibragimov: For WBO heavyweight title
- Dec 20, 2008 vs Nikolai Valuev: For WBA heavyweight title
- Apr 10, 2010 vs Francois Botha: Won vacant WBF (Federation) heavyweight title
- Jan 22, 2011 vs Sherman Williams: WBF (Federation) heavyweight title at stake; Holyfield cut from an accidental head clash
Photo: Glenn Francis (Toglenn) via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0). Featured image: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Evander_Holyfield_LA_2011.jpg?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=api&utm_content=original
Record source: Wikipedia professional boxing record table (cross-checked against the bout list), retrieved 2026-11-02.
