Page 114 - Doug Werner Boxer's Start-Up

Chapter Eleven

Ali’s all-time line:“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”

In 1986 a brute of a fighter burst on the scene and liter-
ally ransacked the heavyweight division. At 20, Mike
Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in
history and for a while it looked like the title would be
his forever. But the wheel fell off the wagon in 1990
when Buster Douglas knocked him out in a stunning
upset.Tyson’s been more or less shooting himself in the
foot ever since.

In 1987 George Foreman, former world heavyweight
champ (1973-74),came out of retirement to earn money
for his family and his church. Big and slow, he was given
little chance to succeed and was something of a joke for
three years,although he crushed all his opponents up to
and including Gerry Cooney in 1990. He lost his world
championship bid to Evander Holyfield in 1991 but
finally won it all in 1995 against WBA / IBF title holder
Michael Moorer.

The unlikely comeback effort of the 40-something
slugger was inspirational. Big George’s quick wit, wide
grin and warm sense of humor captured the hearts of
people everywhere --- even among those who normally
found boxing repugnant.The new George (the youthful
Foreman was actually rather sullen) gave boxing its
biggest boost since the heyday of Muhammad Ali.

Evander Holyfield overcame the odds and a host of
problems including a bum heart to become a worthy
and respected champion.He has defeated all challengers
(most notably Iron Mike Tyson --- twice) and is consid-
ered the undisputed champ as this book goes to print.

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