Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield, billed as "Finally", was a professional boxing match fought between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson for the World Boxing Association heavyweight championship on November 9, 1996 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Paradise, Nevada. The bout was Tyson's first defense of the WBA title that he had won from Bruce Seldon on September 7 of that year. The referee officiating the fight was Mitch Halpern. The fight was promoted by Don King Productions and carried on pay-per-view by Showtime. The bout was the first fight pitting the two boxers
Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas title, "Rocky Lives!" after the popular film series about a similarly underestimated boxing hero. For Tyson, though he retained a menacing aura for years afterwards, "the mystique of the untouchable, invincible 'Baddest Man on the Planet' had been shattered." The fight is often ranked among the biggest upsets in sports history. The fight appeared in the "Mike Tyson Mysteries" episode "Help a Brother Out." The fight is referenced in The Killers song "Tyson vs. Douglas", which also features audio of the commentators for the fight. Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas, billed as "Tyson Is Back!",