After his tougher than expected tussle with Bert Cooper in November of 1991, Evander agreed to fight the winner of the Larry Holmes vs. Ray Mercer fight on February 7, 1992 in Atlantic City. Larry had copied George Foreman in returning to the ring after an absence from the ring, albeit a much shorter length of time.
Most everyone expected Mercer to have an easy time with Holmes, but the ex-champion shocked the boxing world, and gave his younger opponent a boxing lesson. Other than being staggered by a stiff jab in the opening round by Mercer, Larry was never hurt. He schooled Mercer, laid on the ropes and set traps, and countered with sharp right hands. He won the bout easily, and had the crowd at Atlantic City Convention Hall cheering him loudly when the unanimous decision was read.
Mike Tyson was convicted of rape charges on February 10, 1992, and sentenced to six years in prison, leaving Holyfield as the legitimate and only heavyweight champion. On March 5, Evander agreed to fight Holmes on June 19 in Las Vegas in his next title defense. The critics lambasted the champ for fighting another 42 year old ex champion, but he was only doing what the promoters said, fighting the winner of the Holmes vs. Mercer bout.
Another trip to the Pavilion in Cherry Hill, New Jersey for this one, only this time I brought my older brother, who had become a huge Holyfield fan. The fight itself was a dud, with Holmes laying in the corner trying to coax Evander into his trap, but the champ would have none of it. Holyfield easily outboxed and outpunched Holmes, with the only excitement coming when Larry opened a huge gash over Holyfield’s eye with an elbow. Another bizarre incident occurred when after the last bell rang, Holmes vomited into his corner,
The decision was unanimous for Evander, who immediately after the victory, agreed to fight Riddick Bowe in the fall if he got by Pierre Coetzer in July. It was the fight the heavyweight division longed for, and the only thing that could prevent it was a Coetzer upset.
Fortunately Bowe won the fight, and Holyfield vs. Bowe was set for November in Las Vegas, and I for one couldn’t wait.
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