Holyfield - sensational win (Allsport).

Holyfield v Tyson I - Las Vegas, 1996

Mike Tyson, heavyweight champion once again, was a near certainty with the bookies to at 25-1 odds-on to continue a successful comeback from prison by disposing of Evander Holyfield.

But the fight never went to plan as the experienced Holyfield stood up to the tactics of Tyson and bullied the bully.

Tyson eased his way back into the ring after he was convicted of rape and sentenced to jail.

After an uncompetitive return he outclassed Britain’s Frank Bruno to take the WBC title and then added the WBA belt with a first-round knockout of Bruce Seldon.

Holyfield had suffered a turbulent spell while his opponent was caged as he first defended his title against the ageing George Foreman, then lost it to Riddick Bowe.

He then became the second boxer to regain the heavyweight crown when he won the rematch with Bowe.

He again relinquished the title when losing to Michael Moorer and was struck by a further blow when doctors discovered a heart defect.

Holyfield then suffered his second defeat to Bowe before taking on Tyson as a virtual no-hoper.

Holyfield went out of his ways to soak up Tyson’s best shots and he returned them with interest.

By the sixth round Tyson had been cut and then decked by Holyfield.

Four rounds later Tyson was out on his feet and in the 11th round the referee decided to save him from even more punishment.