Evander Holyfield came into the fight with momentum. He had avenged his loss to Riddock Bowe in a rematch that included an appearance from “Fan Man.”
Holyfield had endured a tough stretch of fights, including two against Bowe and tough fights against Bert Cooper and George Foreman.
Michael Moorer was a 2-1 underdog and was looking forward to avenging his loss to George Foreman.
Moorer responded to Foreman’s loss by winning over Melvin Foster, Axel Schulz, Frans Botha, and Vaughn Bean.
The fight wasn’t the war many thought it would be, but there were plenty of fireworks when the decision was read.
Majority Decision gave Moorer the heavyweight title.
MTC Media scored (scorecard below) the fight 116-111 for Holyfield.
Official Scorecard:
Dalby Shirley 114-114
Jerry Roth 115-114 (Moorer)
Chuck Giampa 116-112 (Moorer)
Holyfield went to the doctor a few days after the fight, where he was diagnosed with a heart condition, perhaps explaining why he looked fatigued.
1st round
Holyfield’s strategy early on was to hit Moorer and then tie him out. Moorer did a good job of establishing going to the body. Moorer was also able to land a couple of shots over Holyfield’s jab to Evander, who threw more combinations, especially later in the round.
Holyfield 10-9
Round 2
Moorer made it a point to get off first in the round, and he did just that. He also put his punches together. That paid off near the end of the round when he stumbled Holyfield with a right, but he got sloppy. Moorer walked in and got caught by a Holyfield right-left combination, sending Moorer down to one knee.
Holyfield 10-8
Round 3
Moorer didn’t display any ill effects from the knockdown in the previous round. Holyfield helped by not being overly aggressive. That allowed Moorer to get into a rhythm by getting inside and outworking Evander. But once again, Holyfield landed the more meaningful punches.
Holyfield 10-9
Round 4
The pace quickened, and that was to Moorer’s advantage. Moorer put his punches together actively while Holyfield was looking for periods in the round to rest.
Moorer 10-9
Round 5
Moorer comes out fast, landing a clean left hand followed by more bodywork. As the round wore on, Holyfield looked more and more fatigued. Later in the round, a Moorer left hook sent Holyfield to the ropes. Holyfield was cut in the round.
Moorer 10-9
Round 6
Moorer continues to beat Holyfield to the punch. Moorer’s confidence is growing. He’s coming straight forward behind the jab, and Holyfield isn’t doing anything to stop him. Holyfield’s answer has been to hold, not to punch.
Moorer 10-9
Round 7
Holyfield showed his aggressive style in spurts, but again, he seemed too tired after throwing combinations. Moorer responded after almost every flurry led by the jab and shots to the body.
Holyfield 10-9
Round 8
It was a challenging round to score. Moorer didn’t take advantage of a round where, if he had put his foot on the peddle, he could have won easily. It was a 50-50 that Holyfield barely won.
Holyfield 10-9
Round 9
Holyfield continued to stalk Moorer, and Moorer seemed satisfied to be the bare minimum. Moorer is allowing Holyfield to fight in spurts instead of making Holyfield fight all 3 minutes.
Holyfield 10-9
Round 10
Moorer’s power made an appearance in the round. Early on, Moorer landed a jab followed by a hook, and Holyfield stopped. Later in the round, Moorer started to fight effectively behind the jab. But once again, Holyfield landed the harder punches even though Moorer did land the cleaner shots.
Holyfield 10-9
Round 11
This was another round in which Holyfield was able to control the pace. Holyfield landed the harder shots as Moorer decided to continue being a boxer rather than pressuring Holyfield.
Holyfield 10-9
Round 12
Moorer finally came out extremely active, continuously snapping Holyfield’s head back. It was the first time in several rounds that Moorer continuously put together his punches. Holyfield fought back in spurts, but it was a Moorer round.
Moorer 10-9
MTC Final Scorecard
Holyfield 116-111
