Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield started out his professional boxing career as a light heavyweight with a televised win in six rounds over Lionel Byarm at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 1984….then on January 20, 1985, he won another six-round decision over Eric Winbush in Atlantic City, New Jersey….followed by a March 13th knockout of Fred Brown in the first round in Norfolk, Virginia….and on April 20, he knocked out Mark Rivera in two rounds in Corpus Christi, Texas….as both he and his next opponent, Tyrone Booze, moved up to the cruiserweight division for their fight on July 20, 1985 in Norfolk, Virginia. Holyfield won an eight-round decision over Booze….as he went on to knock out Rick Myers in the first round on August 29 in Holyfield’s hometown of Atlanta….as seen in this video herewith….followed by an October 30 knockout of opponent Jeff Meachem in five rounds….while his last fight for 1985 was a 5th round knockout of Anthony Davis on December 21 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
This fight didn’t last long….but it sure is worth watching by any and all boxing fans….cuz it gives a glimse of how good Evander Holyfield was going to be.
