After Tyson knocked out Bruce Seldon in one round on September 7, 1996 at the MGM in Las Vegas, a press conference was held after the fight. The November 9 card named ‘Finally’, would match Tyson and Evander Holyfield, who had two previous meeting cancelled for different reasons. After Holyfield’s May 10 sub-par performance against Bobby Czyz, and with the public viewing Tyson as ‘invincible’ again, the odds opened on their upcoming bout at an incredible 25-1 in Mike’s favor.
Evander looked muscular and fit at the press conference, since he had already been in training for 6 weeks. He stepped up the the mike and said succinctly “The only thing keeping me from winning the championship is time. See you November the 9th.” Tyson fumed as he sat in his chair, never even bothering to stand up to respond at the microphone. He blurted “You ain’t got nothing coming man. I’m gonna have a good time in this fight.” Evander glared back and shook his head with a grin, showing nothing but confidence on his face.
Excitement filled my mind, and I knew I had to see this one in person. I called the MGM, bought a $600 ticket over the phone, and began counting the days until the mega-bout. I truly believed Evander could pull it off, and that the “Iron Mike” stuff was a bunch of crap. Who had he defeated since leaving prison? Nobody worth a damn, and I wanted to see Evander kiss his ass in person.
Flying to Vegas was kind of melancholy for me to be honest. My failed efforts the year before to get out of debit by betting on fights flooded my mind, mostly on what could easily have succeeded, but for a few stupid choices on my part. Nevertheless, I was thrilled to see the biggest sporting event I would ever witness live in my lifetime, and planned on enjoying myself.
The atmosphere entering the MGM Grand Garden Arena that Saturday night was like a morgue, with most expecting Tyson to kill Evander. I was wearing a ‘HOLYFIELD- THE REAL DEAL’ cap, and the ticket taker told me “You have a lot of guts wearing that hat tonight.” I answered him “When Evander knocks him out in 10 or 11 rounds, I won’t be so nuts.” I wanted to have a t-shirt printed up that said HOLYFIELD IN 11, but ran out of time. I planned to take my sweatshirt off after he did it, and I guarantee you, I would have been on every TV station in America that night.
Evander looked huge when took off his robe after reaching the ring, and doffed beautiful purple shorts. Tyson was wearing his usual black attire, and when the opening bell rang, my heart was racing in anticipation. Tyson landed several hard blows, but Evander walked right through them, and was landing his own counter punches with great effect. It was obvious Holyfield had absolutely no fear of Tyson, and was there to win, not just survive.
As the rounds progressed, the rounds were even, but Evander held a slight edge in my book. When a counter left hook by ‘The Real Deal’ to Tyson’s chest put him on his ass in the sixth round, the crowd erupted with shock. Holyfield was doing what I knew he could, and despite Tyson’s cries of a cut over his eye being intentional, it was ruled accidental by referee Mitch Halpern, the proper call.
Evander continued to gain confidence and impress, and hurt Tyson badly in the 10th. Tyson wobbled back to the ropes, and was being battered as the round closed. I was almost peeing my pants, I was so excited. When Holyfield jumped right back on Mike in the 11th, forcing Halpern to halt the action, my prediction had come true! Evander was the new Heavyweight Champion of the World!
Unfortunately, I only was able to win about $1,200 at 9-1 odds, but at least it covered my trip. Dreams of this bout happening a year earlier filled my head, when I would have been going home to Jersey with a 6 figure check. What I did do what buy as many souvenirs I could at the MGM Grand gift shop that night, and bask in the most thrilling live sporting event I have have seen in my entire life. It was a magical night I will never forget, that’s for sure.
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