Evander Holyfield started out professionally 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. On March 13, he knocked out 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.
Both he and his next opponent, Tyrone Booze, moved up to the cruiserweight division for their fight on July 20, 1985, in Norfolk, Virginia….which Holyfield won in an eight-round decision over Booze….and up next, Rick Myers, who gets KO’d in the first round on August 29 in Holyfield’s hometown of Atlanta….as seen in this video herewith. On October 30 in Atlantic City he knocked out opponent Jeff Meachem in five rounds, and his last fight for 1985 was against Anthony Davis on December 21 in Virginia Beach, Virginia….which he won by knocking out Davis in the fourth round….as Evander Holyfield took the reigns of the light heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions.
He began 1986 with a knockout in three rounds over former world cruiserweight challenger Chisanda Mutti….and proceeded to beat Jessy Shelby and Terry Mims before being given a world title try by the WBA Cruiserweight Champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi….and then in what was called by The Ring as “the best cruiserweight bout of the 1980’s”….as Holyfield became world champion by defeating Qawi by a narrow 15 round split decision. He culminated 1986 with a trip to Paris, France….where he beat Mike Brothers by a knockout in three, in a non-title bout.…as Evander Holyfield took the reigns of the light heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions. Holyfield’s opponent in this fight was Rick Myers….a boxer out of Columbia, Illinois….who fought professionally form 1979 to 1993….while compiling a career record of 14 wins with 4 by KO 16 losses and 1 draw….who did fight two eventual heavyweight world champions in Leon Spinks and Evander The Real Deal Holyfield
