Evander Holyfield vs. Michael Moorer II In an effort to unify the three titles, the WBA and IBF organizations announced a unification bout between Holyfield and Moorer set for November 8, 1997. The two men had previously fought each other on April 22, 1994 for Holyfield's WBA, IBF and "Lineal" Heavyweight championships. In a close fight, Moorer earned an upset victory over Holyfield to become the first southpaw to win a major Heavyweight title. However, his reign would not last long as he was defeated by 45-year-old George Foreman via 10th-round knockout in his first defense of the titles. Foreman, however, would eventually be stripped of
Riddick Bowe vs. Evander Holyfield III Riddick Bowe vs. Evander Holyfield III Riddick Bowe vs. Evander Holyfield III, billed as "The Final Chapter", was a professional boxing match contested on November 4, 1995. The non-title match marked the third and final fight in the Bowe–Holyfield trilogy. After the previous fight between the two in which Holyfield was able to regain the WBA, IBF and Lineal heavyweight titles by defeating Bowe via majority decision, Holyfield would face undefeated southpaw Michael Moorer in his first defense. Though Holyfield would knock Moorer down in the 2nd round, Moorer overcame and was able to earn the victory via majority decision.