Holyfield Defeats Foreman in Atlantic City Bout
The vestiges of George Foreman’s once-intimidating heavyweight prowess were only enough to cast doubt on whether Evander Holyfield was a deserving titleholder.
It should be unequivocally stated that Holyfield delivered a comprehensive defeat to his 42-year-old challenger over 12 rounds at the Atlantic City Convention Center on Friday night. For 36 minutes, Foreman, boxing’s remarkable comeback figure, relentlessly advanced, absorbing a barrage of punishment that overshadowed his own infrequent and cumbersome attempts at retaliation. By the fight’s conclusion, the disparity in their performances was far more pronounced than the official scorecards indicated.
Foreman’s Points Despite Defeat
Despite the loss, Foreman, still upbeat behind sunglasses, remarked, “He got the points, but I made a point.” Indeed, “Big” George made at least two significant points worthy of consideration.
Firstly, his second career, initiated four years prior after a decade-long absence from the ring, was driven by genuine dedication, less about commercial opportunism than the accompanying hype suggested. Secondly, and perhaps more revealingly, his ability to endure for the full fight intensified suspicions that Holyfield’s diligently enhanced physique might mask the inherent limits of a fighter naturally suited to the cruiserweight division.
Foreman’s Durability Tested Holyfield
Foreman deserves commendation for the sheer strength, resilience, and determination that propelled his 18½ stone frame relentlessly at his opponent from the opening bell to the final round, eschewing rest between rounds. However, facing a meticulously prepared 28-year-old, the undisputed heavyweight champion, Foreman’s cumbersome, aged aggression might have been expected to falter long before the 12 rounds concluded.
Holyfield had a prime opportunity to achieve such a finish as early as the final moments of the third round. A flurry of precise hooks to the head disrupted Foreman’s balance, leaving his large, bald head swaying precariously. The champion was free to bombard the unguarded target in the round’s closing 15 seconds, leveraging his 15 stone weight behind each strike.
However, despite Foreman staggering towards the ropes, his head lowered like a bull awaiting the kill, Holyfield, in this instance and several subsequent moments, lacked the knockout power to secure a decisive knockdown, let alone a knockout victory.
Crowd Reacts to Unexpected Fight
The 17,000 spectators, already unsettled by unexpected fireworks near the arena’s roof and smoke emanating from another section (later identified as a harmless smoke bomb), grew increasingly convinced that the anticipated mismatch might evolve into a compelling contest. Yet, the bout remained largely one-sided, hardly justifying such dramatic descriptions.
Holyfield’s Respect and Tyson’s Shadow
The most significant risk for Holyfield was not defeat, but a failure to enhance the respect he felt was unfairly denied to him. Regrettably for Holyfield, this victory did little to sway the prevailing sentiment: he was merely a placeholder champion, whose reign would end upon encountering Mike Tyson.
Tyson, while showing recent signs of decline, still poses a formidable threat. It is difficult to dismiss the notion that Tyson, given the same opportunities to strike Foreman’s jaw with the frequency and force Holyfield managed, would have concluded the fight more swiftly and brutally. Tyson, despite his stockier build, is a genuine heavyweight with commensurate punching power.
Scorecard Controversy
Holyfield is a likeable and competent fighter, a skilled technician who exhibited sufficient control and landed enough sharp combinations to establish dominance over Foreman. However, the scoring of judge Tom Kaczmarek was offensively skewed. Even accounting for the point deduction referee Rudy Battle harshly imposed on Foreman in the 11th round (for low blows, arguably more from clumsiness than malice), Kaczmarek’s score of 115-112 for Holyfield was a distortion.
Eugene Grant’s 116-111 score was also tight, while Jerry Roth’s 117-110 was closer to a fair reflection, even generously awarding Foreman his best rounds – the second, fifth, and tenth. Foreman consistently moved forward, effectively advancing into Holyfield’s offensive range. Ultimately, it was both fortunate for Foreman and potentially detrimental for Holyfield that the champion’s striking power wasn’t more devastating.
Foreman’s Moments of Success
In the post-fight press conference, amidst mutual praise, Foreman playfully encouraged the wishful thinking of his supporters who believed he had come close to knocking out Holyfield. He did land a significant right hand in the second round, momentarily destabilizing Holyfield and arguably winning the round.
In the fifth, a powerful left jab snapped Holyfield’s head back, causing his performance to become momentarily untidy as Foreman landed meaningful punches. The tenth round again saw Holyfield in evident discomfort, absorbing two heavy right hands, and fatigue forcing him into the fight’s first sustained clinches.
Tyson Comparison and Holyfield’s Limitations
However, these fleeting moments of success for Foreman paled in comparison to the periods where, as he quipped, he felt like he was being kicked by a mule. Against Tyson, Foreman suggested, it might feel like facing a Clydesdale.
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Aside from the third, the ninth round was when Holyfield most noticeably intensified his assault on Foreman’s head. The round concluded with Foreman appearing dazed, his face swollen and red from the sustained punishment. Yet, the subsequent tenth round, with its shift in momentum, underscored Holyfield’s deficiency in delivering truly fight-altering punches. Holyfield seemed content to secure a points victory, a prospect his supporters might have considered surprisingly modest beforehand.
Post-Fight Analysis
Following the fight, Holyfield, remaining undefeated after 26 professional bouts, appeared composed and healthy before the assembled media. However, he exhibited a subdued demeanor, perhaps reflecting on the less glamorous aspects of his profession. He admitted being surprised by Foreman’s deceptive jab speed, acknowledging, “He proved at 42 he has a granite chin.”
Holyfield denied being in trouble at any point. “George landed some good shots, but I didn’t allow him follow-up opportunities. He controlled the ring, forcing me to adjust at times, but I outworked him and landed more punches. The relentless pressure from George was the toughest aspect. Throughout the fight, it was either me punching him or him punching me. I believe I fought intelligently. My strategy was to disrupt George’s rhythm.”
He asserted that Foreman’s punches lacked the raw power of Michael Dokes’. However, unlike Dokes and every opponent since 1985 whom Holyfield had stopped, Foreman endured.
“George wasn’t as easy to hit as I anticipated. I thought I could dominate him more easily. But I hit him with everything, and for the past five years, those shots would have ended fights. George absorbed them. He demonstrated immense determination and a granite chin.”
Foreman’s Future and Ali’s Legacy
Foreman reciprocated with compliments. “If I had to lose, I’m glad it was to such a fine gentleman,” he stated. He also praised his own performance: “I didn’t retreat, did I? I kept the fight going all night. My legs are strong, and I wanted to show senior citizens I didn’t need any advantages. I stood throughout, though that mule kicked me a few times, and I considered lying down.”
“The door is now open for me. I might reduce the cheeseburgers and switch to turkey legs – no, I’ll stick with cheeseburgers.”
Returning to Texas to his nine children, with his share of the substantial financial rewards from this historic fight, further lucrative opportunities remained a possibility. Many in Atlantic City pondered Muhammad Ali’s perspective – a now-familiar ringside presence – on Foreman’s recent resurgence, recalling their own historic encounter in Zaire 17 years prior.
Final Verdict
Based on Friday night’s evidence, George Foreman’s legacy might ultimately overshadow Evander Holyfield’s future prospects in the heavyweight division.