Evander Holyfield Reflects on the Hardest Punch He Ever Took from George Foreman
Evander Holyfield, a legendary four-time heavyweight world champion, has faced some of boxing’s biggest names, including Larry Holmes, Lennox Lewis, and Mike Tyson. Yet, according to Holyfield, the hardest punch he ever endured didn’t come from any of them—it came from George Foreman.
In a recent interview with ESNEWS, Holyfield revealed that during his 1991 fight against Foreman, he felt like Foreman had knocked out all his teeth with a single punch. Despite winning the fight by unanimous decision, Holyfield admitted that Foreman’s power left a lasting impression.
“The guy that hit me the hardest was George Foreman. He hit me one time in the eleventh round, and I came back to the corner and I said, ‘Did he knock all my teeth out?’” Holyfield shared.
The 1991 bout occurred during the second phase of Foreman’s career, as he sought to become the oldest world champion in boxing history. Though Foreman lost the fight to Holyfield, he achieved his goal three years later, winning the heavyweight title at 45. Holyfield, who managed to remain undefeated against Foreman, continued his legendary career with a series of memorable fights, including a loss to Riddick Bowe in 1992 and later avenging it.
Holyfield’s journey through boxing includes iconic victories like his 1996 win over Mike Tyson, regaining the WBA title. Their infamous rematch in 1997 ended with Tyson being disqualified for biting Holyfield’s ear, cementing their rivalry in boxing history.
Though Holyfield retired in 2011, he briefly returned to the ring in 2021 for an exhibition match against MMA fighter Vitor Belfort, where he was knocked out in the first round. Now 62, Holyfield remains a beloved figure in the sport, having been the only undisputed world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions.
Holyfield’s potential return to the ring had also been rumored, with reports suggesting a possible matchup against YouTube star KSI. However, those plans were ultimately scrapped, and Holyfield has since fully stepped away from boxing.
Meanwhile, his old rival Mike Tyson has been generating buzz with his own return to the spotlight, as he gears up for a controversial fight against YouTube star Jake Paul, scheduled for November 15 at AT&T Stadium in Texas.
#EvanderHolyfield #GeorgeForeman #HardestPunch #BoxingLegends #HeavyweightChampion #MikeTyson #BoxingHistory #BoxingComebacks #FightNight #RiddickBowe #JakePaul #KSI