It may be somewhat ironic that, on this day, when Mike Tyson will enter the ring again, his most testing ring rival went pro on this same day some 40 years ago. Evander Holyfield, who twice kicked Tyson’s ass (well, once, with him on his way to repeating the job before Tyson went totally off the hinges and bit his ear off!), was, of course, part of the celebrated US Olympic squad that conquered in LA, with fellow future stars Pernell Whitaker, Meldrick Taylor, Mark Breland, and the less fortunate Tyrell Biggs all going pro on the same card.
It took place at Madison Square Garden four decades ago, and Holyfield, turning pro as a light-heavyweight, won a six-round decision over Lionel Byarm. Holyfield was 22 years old at the time, and nobody – as in nobody – could possibly have had any idea how great a ring career “The Real Deal” would go on to have.
Famously disqualified in the second round of the semi-final at the ’84…
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