The 1990s was a legendary decade in heavyweight boxing as it was the era of Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno – we look at some of the greatest 90s Heavyweight Boxers to grace the decade.
Boxing Legends: 90s Heavyweight Boxers
It was a period during which there were numerous memorable fights and plenty of high-profile controversies as huge bouts dominated the pay-per-view landscape. Other notable names who starred in the ring at times in the 90s included Herbie Hide, Riddick Bowe, Oliver McCall and even George Foreman in his 40s.
Here we look back on a decade whose highlights include Lewis and Tyson representing Britain with pride in the heavyweight division and a monumental showdown between Tyson and Holyfield which saw the former being disqualified for biting his opponent’s ear. There’s also the surprise re-crowning of one of boxing’s most famous names to reflect on when Foreman recaptured the heavyweight title at the grand old age of 45.
90s Heavyweight Boxers: Iron Mike
There is really only one place to start and one fighter to start with when recollecting the 90s in heavyweight boxing – ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson. The American, who had been named ‘Fighter of the Year’ by Ring Magazine in 1986 and 1989, truly rose to prominence in the 90s when he beat British household name Bruno in the pair’s second fight in 1996.
However, he was to suffer a shock defeat later that year to Holyfield, before their rematch in the summer of 1997 delivered one of sport’s most unforgettable, controversial and hugely distasteful moments. The fight was stopped when, incredibly, it became clear in the third round that Tyson had bitten Holyfield on both ears. He was subsequently fined heavily and, for a period, was banned from the ring when he lost his licence to box.
90s Heavyweight Boxers: Lennox Lewis
Another of the decade’s best-remembered figures was British star Lewis. Hailing from London, the fearsome fighter had already made a name for himself in the late 1980s but it was in 1992 when he defeated Donovan Ruddock at Earl’s Court to retain the Commonwealth heavyweight title that he began to move into the mainstream.
A follow-up win over Tony Tucker set up a huge all-British bout with Bruno in Cardiff in 1993 and Lewis again underlined his brutal strength with a seventh-round stoppage. Lewis did lose to McCall in September 1994 at Wembley, but he would recover brilliantly and got his revenge on the American three years later when he secured the then-vacant WBC heavyweight title in Las Vegas thanks to a fifth-round TKO success.
90s Heavyweight Boxers: Fantastic Foreman
One of the more romantic boxing stories of the decade came in 1994 when Foreman, who had first been crowned Heavyweight king back in 1973, regained the title he had first lost 20 years previously to Muhammad Ali when he overcame Michael Moorer to seal his redemption. Foreman, aged 45, was trailing on all scorecards before his stunning comeback in the 10th round against Moorer gave him an historic victory.
He instantly became the oldest fighter ever to win a world championship belt and also broke the record for the fighter with the longest interval between his first and second world title. It was an unexpected return to the top that captured the imagination of not just the boxing world but the whole sporting world at the time.
By Adrian Mills
Please note that the information provided in this article with 90s Heavyweight Boxers article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
18+ | BeGambleAware.org
