Date: 13th March 1999
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, USA
Title: WBC, WBA & IBF World Heavyweight Titles
Promoter: Don King Productions
Referee: Stanley Christodoulou
Tv: TVKO (HBO)
Lennox Lewis
(
34
-
1
-
0
)
Weight: 245 lbs
Evander Holyfield
(
36
-
3
-
0
)
Weight: 215 lbs
On March 13, 1999, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield squared off at Madison Square Garden in New York City in a highly anticipated clash to unify the WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles. Billed as the definitive showdown to determine the undisputed heavyweight champion, the fight brought together two of the era's greatest heavyweights in front of a sellout crowd and millions watching on TVKO. Lewis, standing 6'5" and weighing 245 pounds, was the WBC champion, while the smaller Holyfield, 6'2" and 215 pounds, held the WBA and IBF titles. The stakes were enormous, with both men vying to cement their legacies.
As the fight began, the contrast in styles was evident. Lewis used his height, reach, and jab to control the early rounds, keeping Holyfield at bay and dictating the pace. The champion from Britain demonstrated his technical prowess, landing clean punches and maintaining distance. Holyfield, known for his aggressive and high-volume style, struggled to close the gap effectively, often finding himself outmanoeuvred and unable to land meaningful shots.
Lewis's dominance continued throughout the middle rounds. His jab, thrown with precision and power, was a key weapon that kept Holyfield on the defensive. By the fifth round, Lewis had established a significant lead, landing combinations and neutralizing Holyfield's attempts to attack. Holyfield, though outgunned, displayed his trademark resilience, weathering several heavy punches that might have ended the night for a lesser opponent.
The fight reached its critical moments in the championship rounds. Sensing the urgency, Holyfield mounted a more aggressive effort, attempting to turn the tide with flurries and bodywork. Lewis, however, responded with counterpunching and controlled exchanges, ensuring he remained in command. The British champion's consistent output and ability to manage distance gave him the upper hand, even as Holyfield tried to rally.
At the final bell, the general consensus was that Lewis had clearly outboxed Holyfield. Ringside observers and commentators largely agreed that the WBC champion had done more than enough to claim a decisive victory. Compubox statistics supported this view, with Lewis landing 348 punches to Holyfield's 130. However, the judges' scorecards told a different story.
The bout was ruled a controversial draw, with scores of 115-113 for Holyfield, 116-113 for Lewis, and 115-115. The result stunned the crowd at Madison Square Garden and prompted widespread criticism of the judging. Many regarded the decision as one of the worst in the history of championship boxing, with accusations of bias and incompetence directed at the scoring officials. The Associated Press, for example, scored the fight 117-111 in favour of Lewis, highlighting the disparity between public perception and the official verdict.
The controversy overshadowed both fighters' performances and led to immediate calls for a rematch. Promoter Don King, who represented Holyfield, deflected criticism of the outcome, while Lewis and his team voiced their frustration. Referee Stanley Christodoulou's role in the bout was largely uneventful, as neither fighter engaged in significant fouls or required major intervention.
The fight left the heavyweight division without a definitive champion and intensified the rivalry between Lewis and Holyfield. Seven months later, they would meet again to settle the score. Still, the first encounter remains a stark reminder of how boxing's subjective scoring can tarnish even the most highly anticipated events. Despite the outcome, Lewis's performance solidified his standing as one of the era's premier heavyweights, while Holyfield's determination and grit further enhanced his reputation as a warrior in the ring.