Biography of Evander Holyfield

Holyfield\'s diligent pursuit of his craft was evident at an early age. He won the Boys Club Boxing Tournament at the age of eight. At 11, he qualified to compete in his first Junior Olympics. By age 16, Evander Holyfield weighed 139 lbs. (a Junior Welterweight) and became the Southeastern Regional Champion, winning this tournament and the Best Boxer Award.
In 1989, Holyfield became the WBC Continental Heavyweight Champion by defeating Michael Dokes. In 1990, he fulfilled a 20-year dream, when he became the undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World by defeating Buster Douglas, then IBF, WBC and WBA champion. Holyfield remained the undisputed world heavyweight champion until 1992, when he lost to Riddick Bowe. This defeat was short-lived as Evander Holyfield regained his championship title in a rematch with Riddick Bowe in 1993. In 1996, Evander Holyfield joined Muhammad Ali, in the history books as the second man to become the three-time world heavyweight champion. He accomplished this remarkable achievement by defeating Mike Tyson and continued to hold that title after defeating him in a rematch. In 2000, Holyfield defeated the WBA number one contender John "the Quiet Man" Ruiz and became the only man to win a share of the WBA Heavyweight Championship on four different occasions.

At the lecture podium Evander Holyfield draws from his vast experience as a warrior, not just in the ring but also through his courageous spirit which has propelled him from humble beginnings to global fame. Familiar with overcoming obstacles, Evander Holyfield shares with the audience how to bounce back from setbacks with greater rigor than ever. Recognizing that his strength is derived from his childhood encouragement and love within a community, Holyfield shares his inspirational understanding of family and belief within the world of sports.

When he was 19 years old, Holyfield represented the U.S. in the Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela, where he won a silver medal. The following year, he was the National Golden Gloves Champion, and won a bronze medal representing the U.S. in the 1984 Olympic Games held in Los Angeles.

Holyfield made his professional debut in November, 1984 defeating Lionel Bryams. He won his first Cruiserweight title in 1986 against Dwight M. Qwai (then WBA Junior Heavyweight), and became the first boxer of the 1984 Olympic Games to win a championship title.

Over the next three years, Holyfield earned his place in the history books, by becoming the only boxer ever to become an undefeated, undisputed Cruiserweight Champion. Even today, all Cruiserweight championship belts bear his likeness as a lasting tribute to his legacy.

Carrying his championship drive to all facets of life, Evander Holyfield has created the Holyfield Foundation, a not-for-profit organization whose focus is on the family. The charity’s primary objective is to provide a supportive, safe environment for inner city youth to grow spiritually, educationally and athletically.