On March 13, 1999, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield fought for the IBF, WBA and WBC belts in Las Vegas. The British fighter produced a dominant efficiency that was overshadowed by the controversial judges scorecards.
Lennox Lewis vs. Evander Holyfield I
Spectacular Lewis Efficiency
Lewis produced an awesome efficiency the place he outfought and outboxed Holyfield. “The Lion” began sturdy and received his jab going, making certain he managed the gap. “The Actual Deal” discovered some pleasure in spherical three with left hooks and combos earlier than Lewis reestablished his dominance within the fifth – touchdown some eye-catching uppercuts.
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Across the center rounds, the Brit put extra snap in his jabs, which troubled his American opponent. The effectiveness of his jab was obvious as Holyfield’s eye started to swell later within the combat. “The Lion” had carried out the smarter work at a distance and up shut all through the 12 rounds. Holyfield had his moments, significantly with the left hook, however they had been too few and much between. Lewis raised his arm triumphantly in direction of the tip of the ultimate spherical, however there was one final shock in retailer.
Lennox Lewis vs. Evander Holyfield: Scorecard Controversy
The judges scorecards learn 116-113 for Lewis, 115-115, and astonishingly, the final scorecard learn 115-113 for Holyfield. Anybody who watched the combat will possible inform you Lewis had carried out greater than sufficient all through the competition. His accuracy was spectacular, whether or not the surface or inside, and he was merely outworking his opponent. The British fighter was understandably livid after the combat: ”I received robbed,” Lewis mentioned. ”I managed the entire combat.” Lewis coach Emanuel Steward mentioned: “That is what’s killing boxing.”
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Precisely eight months later, Lewis received his revenge, beating a simpler Holyfield by unanimous resolution. This bout was additionally the final time two males fought for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world, with Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury set to do that on Might 18, 2024. Lewis later defeated Mike Tyson and Vitali Klitschko and avenged a shock defeat to Hasim Rahman.
