When Evander Holyfield and Michael Dokes clashed for the WBC Continental Americas Title again in 1989, the outcome was a battle which some later known as the heavyweight combat of the last decade. The match demonstrated that Holyfield, whose skilled profession started at gentle heavyweight, had the products to change into a reliable pressure within the heavyweight division, and that Dokes, who had not too long ago recovered his life (a minimum of briefly) from its damaging, drug-ridden path, remained a resilient fighter and severe contender. The stylistic distinction of the upstart celebrity in opposition to the cussed former champion led to thunderous exchanges that, for ten usually hellish rounds, examined and confirmed the mettle of each males.
Six years earlier, Dokes stopped Mike Weaver in a extremely controversial bout to change into the WBA heavyweight champion. Sadly, his reign proved temporary: Dokes surrendered his title two fights later in opposition to Gerrie Coetzee, and within the intervening years earlier than assembly Holyfield, he struggled together with his addictions to cocaine and alcohol, at one level going virtually three years between bouts. In the meantime Holyfield, a bronze medallist on the Los Angeles Olympics, was undefeated and the previous cruiserweight world champion. Having moved as much as heavyweight, he had already earned victories over James Tillis and Pinklon Thomas. Doubts continued relating to Holyfield’s capability to battle with greater, heavier-handed males. Towards Dokes, these suspicions shortly evaporated.
It’s not as if issues relating to Holyfield’s capability to compete at heavyweight had been fully unfounded. So apparent on this combat was the bodily distinction between the 2 males. Dokes weighed in at 225 kilos to Holyfield’s 208, and the larger man’s cumbersome shoulders and again contrasted sharply with Holyfield’s skinny waist and lithe physique. This might show to be a significant distinction within the bout, though not as a result of it put Holyfield at an obstacle. Dokes appeared plodding all through, whereas his supremely athletic opponent danced and dodged his approach across the ring, negating Dokes’ capability to focus on him together with his heavier punches. To be able to keep away from getting mired in a slugfest, Holyfield knew superior footwork and mobility had been key benefits.
Regardless of Dokes getting off to an brisk begin within the first spherical, a extra cell Holyfield managed to imagine management pretty shortly, showcasing his hand velocity as he related with laborious overhand rights. As if to substantiate his boldness and willingness to get soiled, he retaliated with a blatant low blow after one in all Dokes’ punches strayed beneath the belt.
And, whereas Dokes demonstrated respectable hand velocity, he had issue cornering Holyfield. Preventing within the middle of the ring prevented him from utilizing his superior measurement to pressure ‘The Actual Deal’ into the direct, heavy-fisted exchanges that may have resulted in a knockout. Little question partly due to his current inactivity, Dokes fatigued shortly, and because the combat progressed he started to lean over, a stance that alleviated strain from his exhausted legs but additionally undermined his energy. Had he been in a position to put mixtures collectively within the center rounds, the combat’s narrative may need modified, however even when Dokes mounted an assault the extra agile Holyfield slipped away.
By the seventh spherical two issues had been clear: Holyfield vs Dokes was the most effective heavyweight slugfests anybody had seen in years, and, as Evander continued to land clear pictures, Dokes was operating out of time. Conscious his state of affairs was determined, the sport former champion got here on robust within the eighth, throwing efficient mixtures and asserting his superior measurement. On this onslaught, his better of the combat, Dokes pushed Holyfield again in opposition to the ropes, leaning on the smaller man, techniques he ought to have employed from the outset. However no matter change in tempo he managed to determine was fleeting, since Dokes was inevitably betrayed by his personal fatigue and overcome by his extra expert opponent. He merely couldn’t keep the tempo and no matter harm Holyfield incurred was forgotten by the start of the ninth
Dokes was now visibly taxed, lead-footed and unable to throw the mixtures essential to win. It was merely a matter of time earlier than his waning protection was exploited by the still-nimble Holyfield. The smaller man put to relaxation any questions as as to whether he had the ability to compete with reliable heavyweights as halfway by means of the tenth he landed what could be the combat’s climactic punch, a left uppercut on the chin. Dokes wobbled and the following flurry could be the final, since he was clearly too dazed to guard himself. Limp-armed and bent over as if learning the canvas, he stumbled again to the ropes, defenseless. Richard Steele correctly intervened, giving Holyfield his twenty-first skilled win and third as a heavyweight.
The victory bolstered Evander Holyfield’s heavyweight credentials and “Actual Deal” would go on to change into one of many division’s premier fighters within the Nineties and its solely four-time champion. Dokes, in the meantime, used this combat as proof he was nonetheless a real contender, profitable his subsequent 4 bouts earlier than being knocked out by Razor Ruddock in 1990, a loss that completed him as a reliable title risk. Whereas Holyfield’s and Dokes’ careers diverged after their 1989 assembly—the skilled trajectories of every man are marked by the oscillations that befall virtually each fighter—their conflict stays a premiere heavyweight slugfest, and a profession spotlight for each. – Eliott McCormick
