The International Boxing Hall of Fame has just announced their 2017 nine-member class, of which former World Heavyweight Champion, Evander Holyfield is the undisputed headliner.
A Bronze Medalist in the Light Heavyweight division at the 1984 Olympics, Holyfield would move up to the Cruiserweight division and defeated Dwight Muhammad Qawi for the WBA Championship and would later unify the division with wins over Ricky Parkey (WBC) and Carlos De Leon (IBF). This was an incredible accomplishment, but Holyfield had his sights set at the sport’s biggest prize, the Heavyweight Title.
Following wins over Heavyweight contenders, Pinklon Thomas, James Tillis, Michael Dokes and Alex Stewart, Holyfield would receive the first World Heavyweight Title shot against James “Buster” Douglas, who shocked the world by defeating Mike Tyson by Knockout in Japan. Holyfield would dispense of Douglas in quick fashion, winning the World Heavyweight Title in 1990. He would subsequently make successful title defenses against George Foreman, Bert Cooper and Larry Holmes but he would be beat by Riddick Bowe in 1992, a title he would regain one year later, though only to lose it to Michael Moorer in his first defense.
Holyfield would retire due to a heart issue, though would return to have a very successful 1996, one that would culminate in the ling awaited fight with Mike Tyson, who had won the WBA World Championship. In the anticipated fight, Holyfield would win his third Heavyweight Title by KO in the 11th, and would defeat Tyson by DQ in the rematch when Tyson notoriously gave up and bit a chunk of the champion’s ear off.
Holyfield would win the title for a fourth time, making him the divisions only four time champion.
He retired with a record of 44-10-2-1 with 29 Knockouts.
Mexican fighter, Marco Antonio Barrea will be joining Holyfield. Barrea was a champion in three divisions. Barrea was the WBO Super Bantamweight Champion three times, the WBC Super Featherweight Title and the IBF Super Featherweight Title. Perhaps most notably, he was the Lineal Featherweight Title from 2001 to 2003. He retired with a 67-7-0-1 record with 44 Knockouts.
The late Johnny Tapia will also be inducted. The native of Albuquerque, New Mexico would win five titles, the WBO Super Flyweight, IBF Super Flyweight, WBA Bantamweight, WBO Bantamweight and IBF Featherweight. He would have a 5905-2 record with 30 Knockouts.
They will be joined by:
Johnny Lewis, an Australian trainer who worked with six champions, most notably Jeff Fenech and Kostya Tszyu.
Jerry Roth, a judge.
Steve Farhood, a journalist and broadcaster.
Barry Tompkins, a broadcaster.
Eddie Booker, an African-American boxer who due to his race often struggled to find an opponent. He competed in the Heavyweight division during the 1930’s and 1940’s and had a record of 66-5-8.
Jimmy Lennon Sr., a ring announcer for years who also announced for Professional Wrestling. He also appeared in multiple movies. He passed away in 1992.
The official induction will take place on June 11 in Canastota, New York.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the latest class.
Evander Holyfield to headline the International Boxing HOF Class of 2017
- Written by Committee Chairman
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Published in Not in Hall of Fame News
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Read 4164 times
06 Dec
2016
2016
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