Evander Holyfield is a boxing legend, and proved it on one night in 1991, when he defended his title in spectacular fashion.
Evander Holyfield retired with a record of 44-10-2, and had numerous high profile fights, of course including two wins over Mike Tyson, and a controversial draw against Lennox Lewis.
Holyfield, who lost to Nikolai Valuev, defeated Buster Douglas in 1990 to claim the IBF and WBC world titles, before defeating George Foreman in his first defense.
It was his second defense, though, that saw him prove how good he really was.
Evander Holyfield dismantled Bert Cooper with 24 unanswered blows
In 1991, Holyfield, who made Hasim Rahman’s head swell, faced 26-7 challenger, Bert Cooper. Cooper had lost to Riddick Bowe, Ray Mercer, and George Foreman, but was determined to defeat Holyfield.
Holyfield had been set to fight Mike Tyson, but Tyson was forced to withdraw from the bout with a rib injury, leaving Holyfield’s team desperately searching for a replacement.
Holyfield, who lost to Larry Donald, was then meant to face Francesco Damiani, who also withdrew, allowing Cooper to take up the mantle.
Cooper did find some success, dropping Holyfield for the first time in his career after a barrage of punches left Holyfield being held up by the ropes.
In the seventh round, though, Holyfield overwhelmed Cooper with 24 unanswered punches, forcing the referee to step in.
The referee for Holyfield vs Cooper was also a boxer and TV judge
The fight was refereed by Mills Lane, who, before refereeing, was a boxer himself.
Lane amassed a pro record of 10-1 and, as an amateur, even made it to the United States Olympic Trials.
As well as being a successful referee, Lane had his own television show as a TV judge.
The show ‘Judge Mills Lane’, lasted between 1998 and 2001, saw Lane, who had a career as a district attorney, handle entertaining legal disputes.