The spotlight of sports was reopened for a 5th sport to move back into the main stream, since wrestling and major television had parted ways. Boxing has been around for thousands of years and has always had a role in sports, but its opening into American homes really surged in the 1990's.
A new generation of boxing started in the 1990's with characters like “Iron” Mike Tyson, Lennox "The Lion" Lewis, Riddick "Big Daddy" Bowe, George “Big” Foreman, and Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield. Mike Tyson seemed to grab most headlines, due to winning 12 fights in the first round by knock out and capturing the heavyweight title by the age of 20 (prior to 1990). Which brought the boxing back into the spotlight. It also helped that he had Don King as the outspoken promoter that always caused a scene before the fights.
“Iron” Mike Tyson versus Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield in 1996 was the rebirth of 2 fighters and the spotlight remained on boxing for the rest of the decade. Holyfield was labeled as “washed up” and an easy win for Tyson, but that was the same line they used for Buster Douglas (who gave Tyson his first knock out in his career). Holyfield won the fight in the 11th round with a TKO on Tyson, which shocked the world and led to a rematch a year later.
“The Sound and Fury” was set for June 28, 1997. Mills Lane was the referee for the boxing match known across the world. Almost 2 million household bought the fight on PPV, the highest buy rate record of that time. This time the fight would have a different outcome. Only lasting 3 rounds, after Tyson was disqualified for biting Holyfield's ear.
The biting incident would be mocked in TV Shows, skits, and radio programs across the united states for years to come. Unfortunately, this led to the absence of boxing from the main stream and back into a Pay Per View/ Premium event.
A new generation of boxing started in the 1990's with characters like “Iron” Mike Tyson, Lennox "The Lion" Lewis, Riddick "Big Daddy" Bowe, George “Big” Foreman, and Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield. Mike Tyson seemed to grab most headlines, due to winning 12 fights in the first round by knock out and capturing the heavyweight title by the age of 20 (prior to 1990). Which brought the boxing back into the spotlight. It also helped that he had Don King as the outspoken promoter that always caused a scene before the fights.
“Iron” Mike Tyson versus Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield in 1996 was the rebirth of 2 fighters and the spotlight remained on boxing for the rest of the decade. Holyfield was labeled as “washed up” and an easy win for Tyson, but that was the same line they used for Buster Douglas (who gave Tyson his first knock out in his career). Holyfield won the fight in the 11th round with a TKO on Tyson, which shocked the world and led to a rematch a year later.
“The Sound and Fury” was set for June 28, 1997. Mills Lane was the referee for the boxing match known across the world. Almost 2 million household bought the fight on PPV, the highest buy rate record of that time. This time the fight would have a different outcome. Only lasting 3 rounds, after Tyson was disqualified for biting Holyfield's ear.
The biting incident would be mocked in TV Shows, skits, and radio programs across the united states for years to come. Unfortunately, this led to the absence of boxing from the main stream and back into a Pay Per View/ Premium event.
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