Evander Holyfield (born October 19, 1962) is an American former professional boxer….who held the undisputed world championship in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions….earning him the nickname “The Real Deal”. He is the only four-time world heavyweight champion, winning the WBA, WBC and IBF titles in 1990….the WBA and IBF titles in 1993….as well as the WBA title in 1996 and 2000.
After winning a bronze medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1984 Summer Olympics….Holyfield debuted as a professional at the age of 21. He moved up to cruiserweight in 1985….and won his first world championship the following year….when he defeated Dwight Muhammad Qawi for the WBA title. Holyfield then went on to defeat Ricky Parkey and Carlos de León to win the lineal, IBF and WBC titles, thus becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion. He moved up to heavyweight in 1988….later knocking out Buster Douglas on October 25, 1990 to claim the undisputed WBC, WBA, IBF and The Ring magazine heavyweight titles.
