On March 13, 1999, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield faced off in one of the most anticipated heavyweight matches of the era. Both fighters were vying for the title of undisputed heavyweight champion, and the world was watching. Here’s a detailed look at each round of this iconic bout.
Round 1: Feeling Each Other Out
The first round started with both fighters being cautious. Lewis, with his significant height and reach advantage, utilized his jab effectively, keeping Holyfield at bay. Holyfield, known for his aggressive style, seemed a bit tentative, perhaps feeling out Lewis’s power. Lewis landed a few clean jabs and a right hand that caught Holyfield’s attention. The round clearly belonged to Lewis, who established his dominance early on.
Round 2: Lewis’s Jab Dominates
Lewis continued to control the fight with his jab in the second round. Holyfield tried to close the distance but struggled to get inside. Every time he tried to move in, Lewis would pop him with a jab or a straight right hand. Holyfield landed a few body shots, but nothing significant. Lewis’s reach and accuracy kept Holyfield at a distance, making it difficult for him to land anything meaningful.
Round 3: Holyfield Steps Up
In the third round, Holyfield began to show signs of life. He started to move his head more and found some success slipping Lewis’s jab. Holyfield landed a couple of good shots, including a solid right hand that got the crowd excited. Lewis, however, remained composed and continued to score with his jab and occasional right hand. It was a closer round, but Lewis still seemed to have the edge.
Round 4: Lewis in Control
Round four saw Lewis reassert his dominance. He continued to land his jab at will and mixed in some powerful right hands. Holyfield had moments where he tried to mount an offense, but Lewis’s defense was solid. Holyfield’s punches seemed to lack the power to trouble Lewis, who kept working behind his jab and controlling the pace of the fight. Lewis ended the round with a big right hand that caught Holyfield flush.
Round 5: Holyfield’s Aggression
Holyfield came out more aggressively in the fifth round. He knew he needed to do something to change the course of the fight. He landed some good body shots and a solid right hand to Lewis’s head. Lewis, however, remained composed and continued to work his jab. Holyfield’s increased activity made it a more competitive round, but Lewis’s consistent jab still gave him the edge.
Round 6: Lewis’s Precision
The sixth round was a showcase of Lewis’s precision and boxing skills. He landed several clean jabs and followed up with some powerful right hands. Holyfield struggled to find an answer to Lewis’s reach and accuracy. Lewis’s jab was like a piston, constantly in Holyfield’s face. Holyfield landed a couple of shots, but they were few and far between. Lewis was clearly in control, dictating the pace and distance of the fight.
Round 7: Holyfield’s Resilience
In the seventh round, Holyfield showed his resilience. He took some hard shots from Lewis but kept coming forward. Holyfield landed a few good punches, including a left hook that momentarily backed Lewis up. However, Lewis’s jab continued to be the story of the fight. He kept Holyfield at bay and landed some heavy right hands. Holyfield’s aggression made it a closer round, but Lewis’s cleaner punches gave him the edge.
Round 8: Holyfield’s Best Round
Round eight was arguably Holyfield’s best round of the fight. He came out with a sense of urgency, knowing he needed to make something happen. Holyfield landed some big shots, including a right hand that seemed to stun Lewis. He followed up with a flurry of punches, pushing Lewis back. Lewis weathered the storm and fired back with his own shots, but Holyfield’s aggression and clean punches likely won him the round.
Round 9: Lewis Regains Control
Lewis regained control in the ninth round. He reestablished his jab and started landing his right hand with more frequency. Holyfield tried to press the action, but Lewis’s superior reach and accuracy made it difficult for him to get inside. Lewis landed some heavy shots that seemed to take the steam out of Holyfield. By the end of the round, Lewis was back in command, dictating the pace and landing the cleaner punches.
Round 10: Holyfield’s Determination
Holyfield showed his determination in the tenth round. Despite taking a lot of punishment, he continued to come forward and throw punches. He landed some good body shots and a couple of right hands to Lewis’s head. Lewis, however, remained composed and continued to work behind his jab. He landed some heavy shots that visibly shook Holyfield, but Holyfield’s heart and toughness kept him in the fight. It was a closer round, but Lewis’s cleaner punches gave him the edge.
Round 11: Lewis’s Dominance
In the eleventh round, Lewis’s dominance was on full display. He landed several hard jabs and right hands that seemed to sap Holyfield’s energy. Holyfield continued to press forward, but his punches lacked the snap they had earlier in the fight. Lewis’s superior boxing skills and power were evident as he landed clean shots almost at will. By the end of the round, Holyfield looked tired and frustrated, while Lewis remained composed and focused.
Round 12: A Strong Finish
The final round saw both fighters giving it their all. Holyfield came out aggressively, knowing he needed a knockout to win. He landed some good shots, but Lewis’s defense and jab kept him at bay. Lewis landed several big right hands that seemed to hurt Holyfield. Despite Holyfield’s valiant effort, Lewis’s superior boxing skills and power were too much. The round ended with both fighters throwing punches, but it was clear that Lewis had the upper hand.
The Controversial Decision
When the final bell rang, it was evident to most observers that Lewis had won the fight. He had controlled the majority of the rounds with his jab and clean punching. However, the judges saw it differently. The fight was declared a draw, with the scores reading 116-113 for Lewis, 115-113 for Holyfield, and 115-115. The decision was met with widespread outrage, with many feeling that Lewis had been robbed of a clear victory.
Post-Fight Reactions
The controversial decision led to calls for a rematch, which was eventually held later that year. In the meantime, both fighters expressed their disappointment with the decision. Lewis, in particular, felt he had done enough to win and was frustrated with the judges’ scoring. Holyfield, on the other hand, believed he had done enough to earn the draw, citing his aggression and clean punches in the middle rounds.
Conclusion
The first fight between Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield was a classic heavyweight bout that showcased the skills and determination of both fighters. While the controversial decision left a sour taste in many fans’ mouths, it set the stage for an exciting rematch later that year. Lewis’s dominance with his jab and clean punching were the highlights of the fight, while Holyfield’s heart and resilience kept him competitive throughout. Despite the controversy, it remains one of the most memorable fights in heavyweight boxing history.
