Evander Holyfield has been involved in some of the biggest matches in boxing history down the years — but likely none more infamous than his 1993 return to the ring.
Having just lost his WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles the year prior, Holyfield — who dealt with the who’s who of challengers in the ring had taken out the likes of Larry Holmes and veteran star Buster Douglas during his run.
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During that same stint as heavyweight pacesetter, Holyfield managed to survive an onslaught from George Foreman en route to his own hard-fought decision win.
But losing his belt to three-fight rival Riddick Bowe, Holyfield returned to winning ways soon thereafter, setting up a re-run — and in turn, one of the most bizarre moments in boxing history.
Evander Holyfield saw title rematch delayed by 21 minutes
Sharing the ring with Olympic star Bowe in a WBA and IBF heavyweight title rematch in 1993, Holyfield was tasked with returning to winning ways for the first time in his career.
Initially losing his undisputed crown against New York native Bowe in a decision loss the year prior, Alabama native Holyfield was en route to a victory to avenge his loss.
But midway through the seventh round — a parachutist bizarrely made his way onto the ring — from the rafters no less.
Ultimately known as The Fan Man, James Miller disrupted the title rematch between Holyfield and Bowe, leading to a mass brawl in the ring as he was corralled and eventually knocked unconscious by the champion’s security personnel.
As veteran fans of the sport will know, this is likely the least bizarre matchup Holyfield was involved in during his career in the ring.
Evander Holyfield’s ‘Bite Fight’
Eventually losing a trilogy rubber match to Bowe two years after their rematch, Holyfield was stopped by the New Yorker in the eighth round of their non-title fight in Las Vegas.
But eventually earning his way back to a WBA heavyweight title fight, Holyfield would take home the crown with an infamous knockout win over fellow megastar Mike Tyson.
Booking an immediate rematch in 1996, Holyfield would win via disqualification against the Catskills’ striker — who infamously bit his ear early in their rematch — in one of the most controversial moments in boxing history.