Evander Holyfield on Boxing George Foreman: Hardest I've Been Hit, Thought I Lost My Teeth (Part 9)

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Heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield opened up about his first defense fight, the Battle of the Ages, against George Foreman. Holyfield, being 28 at the time, saw Foreman's strength as his main feature. He stated that while Foreman was slower than most, the timing of his hits during the fight caught him off-guard. Despite Foreman's strength and solid hits, including what Holyfield described as the hardest hit he's ever received, Holyfield managed to keep the upper hand. The fight, which went all 12 rounds, ended in a unanimous decision, with Holyfield coming out on top. Nonetheless, he admired Foreman's resilience and strength throughout the fight, which taught him valuable lessons about boxing strategy.

[@vladtv]

Watch the full interview now as a VladTV KZbin Member - kzbin.infojoin

[@1tmproductions]

This man fought George Foreman, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Riddick Bowe, and James Toney. Evander wasn't ducking anybody.

[@Naginc]

Greatest in modern heavyweights imo. He gets slighted cuz of Tyson fans..but he dominated Tyson. Tyson was legit scared, cause a grown man only bites when he's scared. He realized he shot off early and it was Evander's turn.

[@joeblough261]

Add Larry Holmes, Ray Mercer, a rejuvenated Dokes with only 1 loss, 2-time champ and southpaw Moorer, had to deal with dumb John Ruiz 3x, former champ Rahman, and 7ft tall Valuev.

[@user-tj2bz4bd7g]

Yea fought them head on head butting mostly 😂

[@Naginc]

@@user-tj2bz4bd7g Tyson elbowed, head butted, and bit...See that's the propaganda..Nobody mentions this in Tysons wins..because he used as an excuse, people wanna regurgitate. He got that heiny beat.

[@mathematics557]

Legend 💯💯💯

[@InvestBetter.]

"Fighting George Foreman is like signing up to get hit in the head with telephone poles all day!" - Muhammad Ali

[@wompastompa3692]

Just another day in the office.

[@larrycoleman9513]

That man said he was so slow i moved a way from the punch and he still hit me😂😂😂.

[@harikumarlimbu2441]

😂😂

[@justjewellent]

😂😂😂😂right

[@trezeguet4176]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@rocketrich7886]

George Foreman punches look like he barely trying. That's some scary sh1t

[@Bailey4280]

Hell yea. Throwing boulders and shit.

[@lionelroland6674]

Now imagine being his cell mate! That’s even scarier

[@keenannorris3309]

LOL. So true.

[@rickbarnum3]

😂

[@mrHoppedupford]

That’s because he armed punched.

[@frankguidera6828]

Evander Holyfield is the very definition of a warrior he never ducked anyone ever

[@taekwondotime]

Agreed. Holyfield fought the who's who of heavyweight boxers in the 90's. His fights against Douglas, Foreman, Bowe, and Tyson made him the guy until Lennox Lewis finally took that crown from him.

[@TO-dl2gg]

Also well past his prime when he fought Lennox as a matter of fact when he finally fought Tyson he was passed his prime but so was Mike

[@michaelares4240]

Except the kids he left his exwives

[@petergreen5337]

❤exactly

[@San-oe1xv]

He didn't want any part of Razor Ruddock, when Ruddock was feared

[@user-ui8or8cq7l]

Holyfield...one of the all-time greats

[@user-uo5um5ss1u]

wrong, r e t a r d. nothing but a steroids cheater

[@Dhdbd554]

All time dirtiest fighter

[@user-qb9fv3bf2d]

Vitor Belfort says otherwise....

[@monstermashed6266]

These are great and historic boxing memories and stories from the legend that is Evander Holyfield, we have to remember that the arms of George Forman are like light posts ramming at you..

[@flyguy7825]

Yeah people forget George Foreman was a knockout artist. If there ever was one he get you what one good shot it's over. It's a wrap

[@joojoobaw]

@@flyguy7825 it’s a reason they gave him his own video game! “George Foreman’s.... K.O. BOXXXXXINNGGG!”

[@HatersHaveOpinion1]

Boxing of today suck. I saw a fight on a Thursday with some kid named Shakira Twitterson & he ran for 12 Rds without throwing any punches & still won

[@milojanis4901]

I wonder if anyone besides me has ever looked at this fight from a totally different perspective? Such as this hypothetical situation: George Foreman is 28 years old, and on undetectable steroids. Evander is 42 and not on steroids. Anyone care to guess the outcome?

[@petergreen5337]

❤Exactly well said and well REASONED

[@MichaelSimmons.]

George Foreman made a lot of boxers wonder, what he hit them with. Pure power.

[@therumbleinthejunglee]

George Foreman is the heaviest puncher there has ever been

[@flyguy7825]

Quite possibly you have to go back into the 30s and 40s in the '50s 60s Don't forget about Joe Frazier though Joe Frazier had a mean left hook

[@bossplayermfs5972]

Naw he’s up there but there’s heavy punchers like the greatest heavyweight of all time Joe Louis, Sam Langford, Earnie Shavers, Sonny Liston ect these men have displayed some very serious power punches in the ring.

[@WhateverItTakesLIVE]

@@flyguy7825 joe Frazier🤔

[@Obstakill]

I’ll give you heavy but wilder the most powerful

[@flyguy7825]

@@WhateverItTakesLIVE Yeah why did you think they called him mean Joe Frazier?! Dude was literally knocking fools out sending them to the hospital on his way to meeting. Muhammad Ali in their first fight

[@stefanosoderi4152]

My favorite fighter ever! His confidence during his fights with Tyson was incredible, he had a look like , “No way I’m going to lose”!!!

[@borisbabich]

I believe he was the only one believing that. It was early a.m. here, I've been dozing and waking during the run-up and didn't properly wake up for the start, squinting and expecting Mike to work him over quickly. Boy, was I wide awake by the third round. One of the amazing, great sport moments I watched live. My dad always talked about Ali-Foreman. This match may have been comparable in terms of the perceived underdog showing a fearless heart. And Evander's heart is one of the biggest in all sports, all time.

[@PaulyV56]

exactly, he was on a Higher level..when he walked in..you could tell he was overtaken by the Holy Spirit...FACT!

[@OTOWN2STOCKTOWN]

You can tell he's been in a Foreman match just by the way the man speaks today!

[@user-pd7ju1tb4c]

Just imagine, Ali fought Big George Forman when Forman was in his prime so that should tell you how great Muhammad Ali was as a fighter.

[@jasonwilson556]

I thought old Foreman was actually the best version. Yeah he was slower, but he was a craftier boxer.

[@mikerigatos2939]

Easy to win a fight when your opponent is drugged by don king inc and Ali's team.

[@varunmurali7912]

By that logic you have to remember how great Ken norton is... the guy that beat Ali and got beaten by Big George.

[@highnrising]

It was weird. Ali lost to Frazier and could never really beat Ken Norton, but Foreman just walked right through those two. Ali outsmarted Foreman, but Ali still took a terrible beating before the frustrated and exhausted Foreman fell.

[@nobbytang]

That’s a great great tribute to George from a very very good fighter ….thanks Evander

[@mrbiggs36]

"make the guy come forward while you're punching him". This is exactly how he picked Tyson apart.

[@trey8272]

Damn evanders ear healed up pretty well cant even tell it was bitten 😂

[@X-Factor-22]

Man STOP!!!!😆 Negus don’t let shit die!!?😂👍🏾

[@vladtv]

we zoom in on it later

[@bossplayermfs5972]

He had surgery on it immediately after the piece of his ear was found in the ring dumb @$$.

[@Paul-sl9zm]

People act like Evander got half his ear bitten off, it was actually a small nibble off the top

[@massi6528]

@@Paul-sl9zm nope. We act like a piece of his ear was REALLY bitten off 😂

[@ceejayh1120]

I still can't believe I had the honor of being the Champ's sparring partner for Lewis II. I thought he won. He hit me with an uppercut that made me see black for sec😂 good times

[@tracydukeplump]

I think Evander Holyfield beat Lennox Lewis too

[@_tccccc_boxing1509]

that's amazing, where did you spar with Holyfield? where you a professional boxer?

[@JohnSmith-dm1wo]

How much you get a round

[@ceejayh1120]

@@JohnSmith-dm1wo 2000 for 3 days a week. 8weeks at least 5 rounds per session. The champ would swap fresh bodies every 3 to 5 rounds. Gr8 times

[@ceejayh1120]

@@_tccccc_boxing1509 downtown Houston TX Main Street boxing. The gym is still there and Regis Progais trains. He's about to beat Haney imo

[@jarrettpage706]

Imagine a 42 year old Holyfield vs a 42 year old Forman... or a 28 year old Holyfield vs a 28 year old Forman... lights our Evander quickly. What a unique individual Big George is...in my humble opinion.

[@michaellopez2070]

He might have burned young foreman out. That would have been one for the ages. Young Foreman was NOT entirely done disciplined/patient yet. That being said, Holyfield would not have quite as much go at heavyweight without steroids, which I don’t expect foreman ever took.

[@jarrettpage706]

@@michaellopez2070 good points you bring up. I keep envisioning Holyfield in place of Ken Norton but that's just me.

[@ianblake815]

Holyfield respected and reacted to Foreman’s slugging style

[@SPIDERM0OSE]

He had to respect it. Big George hit HARD, Big George had Angelo Dundee in his corner & Dundee was in the corner for 5 of the biggest upsets ever seen in the sport. Big George was on a BIG undefeated streak. Big George had ooOOoodles of top class HW Championship experience. Holyfield was no fool.

[@keyhimself3542]

I met Quick Tillis in person. Quick Tillis told me, "After being Foreman sparring partner and going up against Evander, I'd say both hit way harder than Tyson."

[@sheldoncooper0]

There’s no way a 205lbs (naturally a 165lbs) guy in evander could ever punch harder than Tyson lol. A naturally small guy will always be weaker than a naturally big guy.

[@paymyself1st430]

@@sheldoncooper0your wrong about that..there’s more big softies than small fries..

[@sheldoncooper0]

@@paymyself1st430 nope. Weight divisions exist for a reason. Because size absolutely does matter in 99.9% of cases.

[@keyhimself3542]

@sheldoncooper0 if that's the case, why couldn't Tyson knock out Holyfield, but Holyfield could knock out Tyson?

[@keyhimself3542]

@sheldoncooper0 weight divisions are height (reach) divisions in disguise

[@anagram8]

How EH is still alive after that match much less be able to speak is incredible.

[@massi6528]

Cuz he's the real deal, maybe?

[@MegaALEXLOUIS]

Not sure he can speak properly tbh

[@keenannorris3309]

He was slurring pretty badly for a few years there lol. He somehow recovered his speaking ability

[@anagram8]

Yes indeed, I remember that period and I was concerned. Very happy for him that he has appeared restored. Blessings@@keenannorris3309

[@projectjab156]

​@@keenannorris3309exactly! His slur has improved dramatically

[@scs2850]

Ali really fought the best heavyweights division of all times

[@flyguy7825]

So did Evander Holyfield and so did George Foreman people forget the competition both guys had in their prime.

[@hazey8348]

Ali the goat

[@bossplayermfs5972]

Not true, Evander Holyfield has the best resume for heavyweights Riddick Bowe, Lennox Lewis, Big George Foreman, Larry Holmes, James Tillis, Buster Douglas, Mike Tyson, James Toney, Michael Moorer, Dwight Muhammad Qawhi, Chris Byrd ect Evander Holyfield by far has a better resume than Muhammad Ali.

[@Fat_Vegan]

@@bossplayermfs5972Larry Holmes, Sonny Liston, Ken Norton, Ernie Shavers, George Foreman, Joe Frazier… man don’t be delirious!!

[@starwarsroo2448]

​@David-rq1xj unfortunately he was way too slow and missed a lot of shots, but amazing comeback, In fact it's THE comeback

[@Yamomsknowsme]

Amazing interviews with legends Vlad

[@vladtv]

Thanks!

[@pauldark3044]

Foreman hit like a truck, my fav heavyweight

[@TreeSnackz]

Damn George Foreman,shoutout to his Grill

[@theking-kh2wc]

Round 7 of that fight was one of the best rounds of boxing in history

[@MundiaKamau]

To balance it out Vlad, you guys should also bring George Foreman on your show. That'll be great. Regards, Michael M. Kamau, Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa, 24th November 2023.

[@Horsecockbadger]

Holyfield was one tough motherfucka he fought everyone been in more wars then anyone and still is able speak 100% amazing.

[@dkhill27]

Earnie Shavers was another hard hitting machine

[@lhaley9873]

Evander was all was a class act, wearing suits when at ringside for other fight ers and well spoken.

[@darrellowings2343]

Credit to him as a young champ for dealing with that. That was a tough nasty fight against a veteran that knew everything there was to know and clearly was dangerous. George was a different man inside and out. This allowed him to add to all that natural giftedness humility and the humility allowed him to add skills and patience and knowledge he didn't have as a young fighter. If he had that when he was young Ali would not have beaten him I truly believe.

[@massi6528]

I too believe that you believe what you believe!

[@darrellowings2343]

@@massi6528 Ali was just a man. George knocked out everyone that beat him. Bad. Frazier, Norton. Then comes back and wins the championship over 40. Who else did that?

[@stunnabreezy3]

Holyfield always keeps it 💯

[@arsavarese85]

He is such a good man. Amazing athlete but such a great role model as well.

[@YoungBreeze252]

I love anything talking boxing or music

[@johnmartinez1195]

One of the bravest fighters I’ve ever seen. This man fought giants and beat most of them.

[@ishmaelwilson6702]

That's THAT Old man strength 💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿 TOTALLY DIFFERENT than young dude strength

[@dariusp422]

Ehh it’s debatable young man’s strength is just a bunch of testosterone old man’s strength is years and years of knowledge and hard work

[@flyguy7825]

You're the born with knockout power or you're not born with knockout power. George Foreman was born with some knockout power

[@X-Factor-22]

@@flyguy7825 Correction! Foreman was born with Godgiven and Freak of Nature power😆

[@flyguy7825]

@@X-Factor-22 Well there you go!!

[@X-Factor-22]

@@flyguy7825 I’ve trained in traditional Martial Arts and MMA for over 45plus years. I’ve sparred guys that got decent power. After the sparring session we often sat around and talked about different fighters in boxing, mma etc. when Foreman’s name comes up we talked about how we would handle getting hit by him and I tell you that NOBODY argued about the end result!!😆

[@TheMarathonomahos]

I spared with Foreman in about 78-79. He broke my hand. His power was like being hit by a bus.

[@agreekinnorway]

Γειά σου πατρίδα! Σοβαρά; Να είσαι καλά και καλή χρόνια.

[@qye6284]

Lucky man

[@mrt1640]

They called him the Frankenstein of Boxing

[@Heccordero2]

I remember when Foreman knocked out Moorer it looked Foreman threw a regular punch shows how strong Foreman is.

[@cockoffgewgle4993]

Moorer said he was out on his feet already. Foreman landed a few short 1-2s and that was enough. He mostly threw shorter, more controlled punches when he was older, to conserve energy and protect himself from counterpunches. Against the top boxers anyway. But when he let fly with those wild swinging and wide punches, he looked like he could kill someone.

[@fobbitoperator3620]

TBI is quite evident when he tries to talk. I oray this man doesn't end up like Ali did. "The Real Deal is a National Treasure, the like of which we may never see again. May God bless this man & his entire family with good health, & prosperity!

[@rikbanter694]

What a man evander holyfield

[@EnterpriseNCC-1701]

I remember the fight. Big George pounded Holyfield especially in that 9th. After that round Evander basically just circled and held on to George for the next three rounds.

[@flyguy7825]

Well evander did more than that. He was giving up 40 pounds to him so he knew he wasn't going to be able to not George Foreman out. But what he could do is out boxing and out maneuver him and not show his hand way too much neutralize his big hits. Keep moving. Keep dodging make him work for it and hire him out

[@vantheman1238]

Evander is still hard. What a man 🥊

[@davediamond9436]

i remember in 75 watching foremen take on 5 opponents in Toronto ..it was a hoot, Cosell doing the blow by blow and Mohamed ali with his own microphone rooting for the opponents and trolling foremen and making lots of faces...

[@highnrising]

Foreman proved that you can overcome a lot of boxing deficiencies if you have fists that make your opponent feel like he's getting hit with a sledge hammer every time you land a punch.

[@IsmailAbdulMusic]

Dang! That must have felt terrible! 🥊 🥊

[@MrAddicted2net]

Foreman had a differnt style in his comeback then when he was young....he really didn't want to hurt people when he came back......Ive always said if George would have attacked holyfield hard like he did ken norton he would have knocked him out.....

[@SunnyReignz]

I loved that fight. I was pulling for Big George.

[@davidvenesky9053]

Evander Holyfield is my favorite fighter. He is one BAD DUDE.

[@frizzyred1292]

Biggest heart, Holyfield was a true warrior.

[@albertreado1980]

Vlad you the man

[@parrsnipps4495]

That was interesting that Foreman had good timing.

[@derrickwilliams936]

I think Holyfield is still messed up from that hit

[@giggeezer]

I met champ back in the late 1980s -- 1988. He was on a station identification break. I see him now in this interview in 2023. He's on a full commercial break.

[@stevec69]

evander talks like this because of George

[@skepchica]

And Bowe.

[@michaelmoorer1088]

Holyfield is so country lmao

[@lionelroland6674]

He strictly a grits and egg buttermilk biscuit mash potatoes and gravy with collar greens and cornbread eating mofo!

[@rockystelone21]

He speaks well with thr punishment he took over the years.

[@user-qs9jl1bl2u]

I’m pretty sure by now that forman, shavers or cooney are known or at least to be known as the top hardest hitting people in heavyweight boxing.

[@darringriffin6625]

I saw that fight as a kid. I thought holyfield was a GOD for standing up to Big George...later I realized Big George was also a God for coming back to the ring and still being a threat in his 40s. I love boxing!!!

[@Padilla4042]

Well said indeed. This war is one of the many reasons boxing is my favorite sport. Time for me to revisit this one

[@NetteJ]

Wow amazing

[@JohnnyTerps7]

It’s hard hearing this man talk Jesus Christ

[@shermricks7340]

People really don’t understand how technical boxing is and why these men are elite fighters. People criticize Floyd as he got older for fighting smarter without realizing how much of a master he was at his craft.

[@flyguy7825]

Because people only look at weight classes and they only look at the big shots and the big hits. They don't understand what goes into boxing, the smarts and the technical aspects of it evander holyfield literally broke it down beautifully. He knew George Foreman 's game and he knew if George Foreman got a good shot on him. It was over but what people tend to forget about evander holyfield is that he was one of the most agile boxers in history. His game is similar to Floyd Mayweather's game. He's going to catch you off and hit you. He's going to continue to move his head, his body, his shoulders in order to get you to show your hand

[@zaytime4156]

Word I js had fighters at my gym criticize Floyd for “Running” not realizing they wouldn’t even last in the Ring w/ him lol

[@didyouknowamazingfacts2790]

Anybody who doesn't think boxing is mostly technical has never been in the ring. If you go in the ring thinking you are going to fight like on the streets. You are not going to last long in the sport are you going to end up talking worst then him.

[@m43854]

Ans people don't realize how hard these guys are punching...I remember watching floyd fight connor McGregor and connor hit him flush in the gave with a punch that would ha e dropped any ufc fighter no question....Floyd didn't even react to the punch..he just kept coming forward.

[@talibdavis2345]

They'll never understand how great Floyd was. Most of them don't even understand the sport of boxing. They just wanna see 2 fighters exchange blows

[@neilfreeman8702]

A true great 💯% If he was a natural heavy weight nobody would of beat him

[@johnmickns]

Man i wouldnt take a hit from that mofo NOW....and hes damn near 80!🤣

[@bampo525]

Evanders the Goat ....He didn't duck anyone

[@truebeliever786]

George Foreman had that freaking nuclear punching power.

[@gogetdabread]

slow as christmas is crazy😂😂

[@Mrgood189]

Foreman is the Greatest

[@CARLITOSWAYWORLDV]

Oh yeah!.

[@Anderzander]

Timing ! So important

[@kingsleyblair1952]

Mike Tyson ,Mohammed Ali and Jack Johnson are the history making black men of boxing see how they go after these men

[@practicalplinking6133]

From the time he was robbed of gold and then given the bronze, I've been behind him 100% !!

[@shaunr5450]

When people say a dude is "punchy" this is what they mean.

[@Limpbizcut]

The real deal ....Warrior 🇫🇯 🇫🇯 🇫🇯 🇫🇯 🇫🇯 🇫🇯 🇫🇯

[@HEAVYCHEVY409]

*What did he hit me with? You know you got punch hard lol*

[@nolongermyname88510]

Poor guy. Doesn’t sound great. But a great fighter and sounds like a great man and son…I was young but hey maybe he sounded the same 30 years ago!

[@Lamar0305]

Holyfield hit Big George with the kitchen sink and he wasn’t goin

[@williewest2998]

And that was a old foreman

[@shephusted2714]

timing is everything - ask michael moorer

[@cwc8979]

Buster Douglas

[@bananabana6630]

Earnie Shavers could also lay wood. His punches sounded like a Mule kick.

[@jacklangley861]

George said Evander had the best chin of any opponent he faced. Very interesting. Now my dream fight would be prime Tyson vs prime Forman.

[@kingace1904]

Holyfield the "real deal" find out George Foreman didn't get soft selling GRILLZ LOL.....he thought BIG GEORGE lost it but he still had it 🤣😂🎯🔥💯👑💯

[@tomg8673]

Someone may want to check out his Light Heavyweight Record Also… GOAT No Doubt

[@WhySilverWhyNow]

Has there ever been a more honest person?

[@billybucks8234]

Amen

[@TkKirklandReal]

He sounds like Michael jail white

[@CocaineCowboyJones]

"Slow as Christmas" lmao

[@BigMike_RTTV]

Evander “I say” Holyfield

[@LazarousZulu-ue6sw]

I say, i say, I say🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😂😂😂LEGEND

[@herbertcampbell1008]

Shannon Briggs said the same thing

[@Gud2B_Blessed]

I was at the fight. LOVED EVANDER FROM THE VERY BEGINNING AND STILL DO. Holyfield and Pound for pound Roy Jones 4❤Eva

[@reytejero4732]

I understood Holyfields first word

[@michaeljohnson5365]

QUESTION if boxers did not have a gum shield what would happen

[@CorGP]

For some reason we think 42 is old. That’s a full grown man hitting you let alone George Foreman.

[@pcorps999]

What kind of mk ultra stuff is this @ 1:50-1:55

[@dondada4L]

So when the polls come up who hit the hardest just know it’s George over Tyson

[@guttercleankirkwoodfamily2225]

Foreman, Liston, Langford, Shavers, Frasier, were all on another level with their power, Tyson, Holyfield and Lewis could be added on this list aswel. Strength was on another planet, Ali had strength to a degree but not as strong, just faster and better movement. This combination helping him knockout Foreman. I could name 50 more but they would all laugh at today's heavyweights. I think Fury would only make a British champion in the 90s as he would have struggled against the likes of Witherspoon and Bruno. Just my opinion of course as in Heavyweight boxing one good punch changes everything

[@ribeiro1045]

Os golpe do hollyfilde n tinha tanta força em curta distância foi assim que James ganhou dele encurtando distância de boxe eu entendo

[@delnrodney538]

You see how hard these boxers got hit and could hit back in the 90s. Hollyfeild is very under rated my point of view But steroids or not this man could go toe to toe he earned as much as Tyson and lost it like him coz they walking money machines but they lived the proper boxing days before KZbin and UFC fighters . Never used to see a WWF wrestler in a boxing ring in the 80s, 90s. Tell by the way they talk they been proper hit Thumbs up for good entertainment back then now is bollocks

[@yonkolevelzoro7104]

They don’t make boxers like this anymore