Evander Holyfield has had a few rematches in his time, but only in his biggest fights – Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, John Ruiz, though there is another lesser known rematch the legend fought in years ago.
By 1988, Evander Holyfield had conquered the cruiserweight division and was entering the glamour division, the very pinnacle of boxing.
Holyfield would go on to become a champion in 1990 with a win over Buster Douglas, and would go on to beat Mike Tyson and draw with Lennox Lewis (albeit controversially), but it was years before that that Holyfield had his first real rude awakening.
The legend was tested in his fifth heavyweight contest by a massive underdog who proved himself in the ring.
Alex Stewart lost to Evander Holyfield, but won his respect
In November 1989, Holyfield, who lost to Nikolai Valuev years later, faced 24-0 Alex Stewart in New Jersey.
The fight was a brutal one, and forced both fighters to bite down on their gumshield and go to war.
Holyfield, who some say robbed John Ruiz, won the first four rounds, but not by any huge margin, and was rocked in the fifth by Stewart, who fought on despite a cut he sustained earlier in the fight.
The cut only worsened, and Stewart was pulled out of the fight.
He was behind on the scorecards, but undoubtedly had moments of success in what many believed would be an easy night’s work for Holyfield, who had his eyes set on the Tyson fight.
Earl Gustkey of the Los Angeles Times wrote of the fight:
“Alex Stewart, a 13-1 underdog and thought to be a near-setup for Evander Holyfield in his countdown to a bout with champion Mike Tyson, unexpectedly fought with skill, heart, and courage.”
Evander Holyfield gave Alex Stewart another shot three years later
Owing to his impressive performance, Stewart was given another shot against Holyfield in 1993.
Between their last encounter and this one, Holyfield had won and unified the heavyweight world titles, and beaten George Foreman, Buster Douglas, and Larry Holmes, before losing to Riddick Bowe.
Stewart, meanwhile, had lost in a round to Tyson, been stopped by Michael Moorer, and lost a razor-close majority decision to Foreman.
Stewart, now 32-4, was not impaired by a cut this time against the 28-1 Holyfield, but was outclassed, losing a unanimous decision.