When Dokes Tried Intimidating Evander Holyfield

Welcome back to Boxing After Dark! In this video, we rewind to 1989 to witness a gripping showdown between Evander Holyfield and Michael Dokes in the heavyweight division. As Holyfield had just stepped up to the heavyweight division, viewers eagerly anticipated how his chin, power, and overall strength would fare in this matchup.

[@Bricklinsv1970]

That whole era of boxing will never be out done. Man I miss those days!

[@Vengeance1978]

Me too. Boxing from the 80s and 90s was the best. Today its just terrible

[@admiralsquatbar127]

I agree, the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's had some absolute legends.

[@patmartin4411]

True

[@rhameseshamilton8045]

This and the Era right before it. Best ever heavyweights ever.

[@musicandboxing7370]

@@user-kb2jf8mv1h outdone by pendraza being tanks biggest win and that was more than half a decade ago. Outdone by fury pulling out of fights but quick to fight chisora and Ngannou. The early 2000s was very solid but the current generation is very wack with the exception of few fighters.

[@grudeman]

Holifield was absolutely stunning to watch in his cruiserweight time, that bouncy style with beautiful combinations stamina and INSANE toughness was a freakish combination of traits and skills to have. Dokes in the 80s had some of the fastest hands in the history of the sport

[@choccolocco]

Absolutely, quicker than those even today, and a HW. Insane speed for his size.

[@scottdavidson526]

Holyfield probably was the cruiserweight of all time. He was undefeated in that weight class. Just an absolute beast.

[@staffh3815]

Even today.? Who ,fury not bad and ruiz​@choccolocco

[@batouttahell454]

Holyfield dirty , intentional headbutt did the damage

[@clementelogan6457]

Probably still be cruiserwt champ today...Usyk couldn't beat holyfield at cruiserwt​@@scottdavidson526

[@JuliusMas-bz6my]

Damn, they were built differently back in the day.

[@tilerman]

They sure were, and when they are interviewed with shirts and ties on, the size of their necks and their shoulders, big guys for sure.

[@pernormann4869]

It's like watching modern boxing on double speed...

[@michaelhubbard4023]

Evander is a good person and a very tough tough tough tough tough tough fighter who left everything in the ring. He helped make the 90s heavyweight scene one of the best in history.

[@Don-rl1sm]

"good people" don't take steroids and cheat, r e t a r d. evan fields nothing but a steroids cheater

[@enriquerodriguez8244]

Agree. Why Tyson gets more hype I'll never know. Holy IS the Man. Tysons spirit could be broken but not Holyfields

[@Don-rl1sm]

@@enriquerodriguez8244 evan fields sucked at boxing, r e t a r d. nothing but a steroids cheater

[@jamesdavis1428]

Steroids will do that

[@modestoquinto1911]

Dokes showed a lot of heart, and gave Holyfield some troubles..

[@TheJiggaNasty]

Right! Say what you want but I think Holyfield dodged a bullet

[@jeffgreene8204]

It was a very entertaining

[@therealdarrell282]

@@TheJiggaNastyIf Dokes did not have that drug habit, he would have been a great. His hand speed was pure.

[@TheJiggaNasty]

@therealdarrell282 I love Holyfield, but any smart manager would regret the bout vs Dokes. It could have been a disaster

[@therealdarrell282]

@@TheJiggaNasty Holyfield fighting Dokes was smart and dangerous. That fight got people looking at Holyfield differently.

[@DeTAYL.]

Dokes had some fast hands!!

[@musicandboxing7370]

Greatest cruiserweight first to be undisputed in 2 division moved up and reigned as heavyweight king 3 different times in the stacked 90s Only 4 times heavyweight champ My boxing goat .. God bless you Evander

[@Reese8531]

Best ❤️ of all time!!

[@michaelalali-goodnews3154]

4 times? Isn't it 5?

[@musicandboxing7370]

@@michaelalali-goodnews3154 1) Douglas 2 ) second bowe fight 3) Tyson 4) John Ruiz He was robbed in the valuev fight so it should have been 5.

[@michaelalali-goodnews3154]

I see. Thanks for clarifying

[@Ze_Moose]

I want to see Holyfield vs Usyk in the cruiserweight division. Both in their prime 🙏

[@amc7185]

Absolutely one of the best heavyweight fights ever.

[@Reese8531]

Holyfield always had the best heavyweight fights!! Especially his fights with Riddick Bowe which was all good fights!!

[@cherryswirlchale9511]

What a magnificent fight! Puts to absolute shame the state of the present heavyweight division. What an era, unmatched with the possible exception of the 70's.

[@b9479]

The 90s and 70s were the best heavyweight eras in history

[@PhilYouIn]

Really good job with this video. Just the right amount of narration. Very professional. I enjoyed it

[@Mdaddarioe]

Totally agree.

[@BoxingAfterDark]

I second-guess everything that is done in my videos and I'm still learning. So this is nice to read, thank you.

[@barryobee1544]

Great fight, I never seen before!👍

[@thegoat6116]

bro in the 80s it was just DIFFERENT😤

[@Dryzual]

No drug testing

[@thegoat6116]

@@Dryzual they did have drug tests actually

[@Dryzual]

@@thegoat6116 No real drug testing.

[@thegoat6116]

@@Dryzual well Idk, I heard Mike Tyson took a drug test in the late 80s so..

[@capablemachine]

@@thegoat6116 it's not a very kept secret that Holyfield was on the juice.

[@MD-ww4bh]

Presumably, Richard Steele told them "anything above the knee is legal".

[@enriquerodriguez8244]

Good one cousin Weeze 😅

[@Xx-po1fu]

LOL

[@n.b.p.davenport7066]

I remember watching that fight like it was yesterday one of the best sites I've ever seen

[@drby0788]

Favorite heavyweight of all time. WARRIOR

[@djallen16]

Evander always showed class.

[@alexwilliams4264]

That was total warfare, great fight from both guys. Absolute warriors.

[@MrStivi1981]

Best boxing generation ever!

[@ldrobarts]

Wow….what a fight!

[@CYMotorsport]

These are my favorite versions of both warriors. I’d give absolutely anything for the pure entertainment of seeing Usyk in his form today vs either of these guys in this exact form. Would be a fantastic show

[@lackynahal4003]

Usyk would have a shock at this aggressive level of fighting if he was to fight them. Usyk is a great fighter have so much respect for him but he would survive that era. Holyfield was something else.- he fought them all and I mean ALL.

[@lackynahal4003]

*would not

[@jaydebeer7251]

Usyk 😂😂😂😂 seriously 😂😂😂 has usyk beaten a fighter with the class of holyfield? Tyson? Bowe? Lewis? In cruiserweight holyfield won his first belt in his 12th pro fight!!! Against a cruiserweight legend Dwight Muhammad Qwai... usyk is not in the same class... has usyk beaten a hall of fame boxer in his 12th pro fight?? Has he even fought one🤔 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jaydebeer7251]

​@@lackynahal4003I totally agree.. usyk is good. . But not great.

[@AhPhoey]

Incredible fight

[@kennethpaulley6436]

Holyfield was so good back in his prime, so fast and crisp with those punches

[@lowKut]

Holyfield doesn't get enough credit for being such a superb boxer.

[@j.savage1228]

This was the first boxing match I ever watched at 6 years old and have been hooked ever since. Evander has always been my favorite, man was pure class!

[@Wilson632]

What a toe to toe war that was. I remember watching that fight live

[@jupiter-8405]

He'd already had 2 fights against James Tillis and Pinklon Thomas at heavyweight.

[@justinv6410]

People don’t know this but Evander’s close friend, Evan Fields, was a pretty famous bodybuilder himself.

[@misplacedmonk4797]

Loved young Holyfield, but apart of me was pulling for Dokes, dude had heart.

[@adquinta]

Evander was never the best in any one category, speed, power, defense, etc. But he always came ready to give it 110% and had that die in the ring attitude. That’s what made him successful. You give 110% all the time will beat fighters who are better than you who only bring 90% to the fight.

[@dogman_]

In the 9th grade in 89, I told my friends this guy is going to be the one that beats Mike Tyson. They said Luther, you are carzy. He's too little! Yeah!

[@koden24]

They thought I was crazy to, and we see what happen!

[@Thecallmemisterajp]

Great video. I’d actually never heard of Dokes before this.

[@earth7551]

Dokes had some lighting fast hands only fighter to match Holyfields handspeed but was old lost his legs

[@Boxing_Gamer]

Damn I miss fights like this, the fluidity, the constant punching, the slickness.

[@alarmactionukalarmactionuk893]

This impressive inspired, unintimidated version of michael dokes would of given tyson a hell of a competitive fight back in '89, far better than bruno fared.

[@will6996]

This wasn't a fight it was a war congratulations to both competitors.

[@Oir07]

10:38 I was only two years old when this fight actually happened but I remember as I got a little older and started getting into boxing this is one of the fights my grandfather used to always show me. Still to this day this is one of the best fights I’ve seen those dudes back then were so tough. Give a beating and could take one.

[@jeremylensworth4178]

I miss that style of boxing announcement and play by play. Makes it tens times more entertaining and thrilling than the constant depth analysis and ramblings.

[@JoeGain-pk3vz]

I remember that night free preview of showtime it was my first time seeing Evander from then he became one of my favorites super tough

[@jonnycat529]

That's the same running at you-punch he used against Tyson when the fight was stopped. It's friggin devastating to look at in slow motion.

[@davidrodriguez7641]

Great fight came on at 2pm on a Saturday! Free tv

[@johnwilliams4541]

Great fight. Both gave as good as they got .

[@bone_thuggz6969]

That fight showed the most heart of any fight that I can remember.

[@gatormark]

I remember this fight like it was yesterday.

[@josemolina959]

Wow!!! It happened on my Birthday! Evander Holyfield, one of my three favorite boxers of all time. 👍🏼🕊️🥊🥊

[@kourtneyhanley]

This is the most protection and deflection which firing the hammer ive eva seen this is boxing

[@EBthere]

Great fight!!

[@pauly9055]

What put holyfield above other fighters was his stamina.

[@batouttahell454]

Steroids and Headbutts too

[@Izzymeyokee1]

This fight is crazy 🎉

[@JohnMoore-jz7be]

Greatest of all time bouts

[@timwright8785]

Used to love watching holyfield the bloke was a warrior

[@E.Carrillo]

Wow what a fight!

[@Itsyourstrulytre]

Tremendous! Content 🏆✨🥊 …. Loved the come up of the “Real Deal” … I am hoping Usyk follows his lead as the next undisputed heavyweight champion! After conquering the cruiserweight division like the “Real Deal” 🥊

[@jaydebeer7251]

Usyk 😂😂😂😂😂 average. Very very average

[@Itsyourstrulytre]

@@jaydebeer7251 😂😂😂😂😂 An Olympic Gold Medalist 🥇, Former Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion 🏆🏆🏆🏆 and the Current Unified Heavyweight Champion 🏆🏆🏆 “Average” 😏 wow! An absolute disrespect to an elite warrior! #justmyview 🥊

[@Lucas.WRIGHT889]

Evander is the Absolute Definition of A MACHINE 😮❤

[@albertreado1980]

We don't think we'll ever see boxers like that again 😢

[@user-jg1bt1zi1r]

I watched this fight live .

[@timmontano8792]

Todays "Championship Level" boxers couldn't hold a candle to this era of boxing champions. Today's boxers fight out of greed first and foremost and legacy is a distant second.

[@jm_1214]

These have to be the best athletes

[@morrielarsen]

Widely considered the best heavyweight fight of the 1980s

[@VaderPopsVicodin10]

One of Evan Fields' best victories against a very game Dynamite Dokes.

[@JyeSun818]

The 80s-90s era of boxing guys were just cut from a different cloth, you don't see guys go 2 war like then, these guys don't even wanna fight each other, we just get social media war of words nowadays..

[@jamesbroomfield7799]

Damn I'm a huge Holyfield fan ever since the early nineties and this is my first time ever seeing this fight. Man this has to be one of the best fights I've seen in a while

[@kmrk4055]

These guys are warriors. How do they take those shots and stay upright?

[@guins99]

Tougher generation…

[@user-zh8db1dt6e]

You all must have forgotten that Holyfield was naturally a light heavyweight frame who climbed up to Cruiserweight n later became a 4 time Heavyweight champion. The only 4 time heavyweight champion. In his amazing career he has fought super heavyweight opponents who were twice his size. He deserves to be inducted into the Hall of Super Fame based on his hyper phenomenal achievement.

[@andy42x]

How did they both take so many shots? Wow. 🥊

[@TheLongWind]

Usyk is running the Holyfield playbook

[@lonniethomas4343]

What a great fight

[@jerrylattimore9232]

WHEN I SAW THIS FIGHT, I KNEW HE WAS A THREAT TO TYSON.

[@theguyinmaine]

Wow, were fighters fit back then or what. Just not the same anymore, it's like a show today. Name me a heavyweight that can go 15 or even 12 and still have knockout power.

[@thegoat6116]

11:38 notice how holyfield headbutts him right before the ref stopped the fight😭

[@michaelwatts3878]

Get a life

[@jonathanrubino2577]

Thats why he got his ears bitten off

[@damonwimbley9798]

​@michaelwatts3878 exactly..it wasn't a headbutt in the least bit, as holyfield charged in with the finishing blow, dokes was bouncing off the ropes at the same time..

[@thegoat6116]

@@jonathanrubino2577 exactly 🤣

[@thegoat6116]

@@damonwimbley9798 yall holyfield glazers are ridiculous 😂🤣😂🤣

[@macheavy7893]

Good times back then I tell you

[@zancraft7865]

I love all the old school matches even way before Holyfield's era. I would have to say that Evander had the biggest heart I have ever seen in a boxer.

[@user-eq5vj3qt1u]

Wild

[@bradtaylor4765]

Holyfield was one of my favorites. Looking at Dokes record, he was devastated by Riddick Bowe in the 1st round. If he hadn’t been a mental case, Bowe could have been one of the all time greats, maybe. But, I saw Andrew Golota just completely dominate him but Golota was even more mental and managed to lose by going low over and over again. Bowe just missed something in the head somewhere. Back to Holyfield, his kids told him he talked like a stupid man, and he cleaned that up and speaks very well now. I have nothing but respect for the man.

[@chonqmonk]

Seems you forgot to put in the part where "Dokes tried intimidating Evander..." Lol. That was sure a GREAT fight!

[@stanjz]

I forgot how intense this fight was. You wanna talk about getting your money's worth and then some.

[@sportinlife1]

Great fighter and juicer 🙌

[@enriquerodriguez8244]

If you're not cheating you're not trying. I always say

[@tommynowlin]

Old Dokes , young evander 😮

[@jackstrop7520]

referee says cmon fella"s keep them punches above the knees!!

[@ayedee6681]

Dokes Coetzee. Now that was a fight!

[@Mines7171]

Remember when Evander Slipped with Riddick , People Swore that was a Knockout. I Watched the Actual Fight Night Footage, Edits and Clips.

[@user-km4mj7nl3n]

What a great fight that was. Holyfield chose to fight a former champ for his 1st fight as a heavyweight. What heart

[@ClivePlatt-jk7im]

O my God what a great fight both men would beat heavyweights today to great men

[@integrativenaturalmedicine3897]

Damn, I remember Dokes name, but forgot how tough he was. He deserved a standing 8. And with so many low blows, that was weak sauce to take a point.

[@ironshinja3997]

GREAT FIGHT

[@freddieyedu7104]

The golden era of boxing. Now they don't make men like these no more

[@kevinthompson8047]

It's a shame lennox lewis was not mentioned both fight was also great both fighters was real class

[@dirtyandnasty9011]

Lennox was having his 1st pro fight when Evander fought Dokes, why mentionning him here ?

[@Philliben1991]

Whether he was cruiser weight or heavy weight, prime or past it, a winner or a loser, Holyfield was always an absolute warrior.

[@guins99]

And this is why boxing > mma. These guys’ conditioning was incredible to endure those shots for 8 rounds, both landing bombs. Pretty incredible fight.

[@hughmcaleer9951]

These heavyweights today couldn,t hold a candlestick to the heavyweights of the 60s 70s and 80s.

[@earth7551]

Michael Dokes is the only fighter to match Holyfields handspeed and counter punch ability

[@choccolocco]

Damn, Dokes was quick af.

[@khalilcook3018]

This was a war 💯💯

[@mookeychase0907]

Saw his potential for greatness in the Olympics but after he destroyed Dokes I knew a heavy weight champ was here salute to the Warrior 🥊🥊

[@williammccravy6901]

Two titans

[@tiniray08]

Holyfield was a superb boxer.. his heart was tremendous.. If Tyson had half Holyfields guts. He a real Pitbull who doesn't give up no matter how hurt..

[@assassindelasaucisse.4039]

A lot of low blows on both sides.

[@billdouglas8701]

After the first round, Richard Steele went to both corners and said “Ok, You guys are even on low blows. Anything more and I’ll start taking points.”

[@timwoodruff7906]

Wooow ❤❤ what a fight..10 out of 10 forboth fighters

[@CaseOhyourfat25352]

Dokes put up a hell of a fight

[@wbb5954]

Dokes was definitely better than his career panned out and he never put it all together. Damn though, I never knew he fought Ali in an exhibition. His career at a high level spanned a long time.

[@chrisgonz9963]

This was Such a great fight in 1989 Michael Dokes showed heart and consistency meanwhile The Real Deal Holyfield was a warrior fun exciting no nonsense action Fighter