After his defeat of Dwight Muhammad Qawi on July 12th of 1986, Evander Holyfield became his reign as the best cruiserweight in boxing history. His frame filled out the 190 limit perfectly,, with his broad back and shoulders, and slim waist.
He returned to the ring after winning the title,five months later with an easy knockout defense of Mike Brothers in three rounds. He followed that up with another knockout, this over fellow Olympian Henry Tillman in seven rounds. Evander had been the best man in Henry’s wedding, but this was all business, and nothing personal.
The ‘Real Deal’ added the IBF belt to his collection with another victory three months later over Rickey Parkey in Las Vegas. Evander had two of the three belts, and set his eyes on the WBC champ Carlos DeLeon.
Another TKO win came in August against veteran Ossie Ocasio, which set up the rematch with Qawi in December.
There was no fifteen round war this time, with Evander knocking Qawi out cold in just four rounds. The bout from Atlantic city finished the year in style for Holyfield, which left one fighter in his sight.
On April 9th, 1988 at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Evander stopped WBC champ Carlos DeLeon in the eighth round. It made him the unified Cruiserweight Champion of the World, and left him with no more goals at that weight. His two years as champ no doubt make him the best cruiserweight in boxing history.
His next move was to heavyweight, and to be champion in that division as well.
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