November 9, 1996: Big Underdog Evander Holyfield Stops Mike Tyson in the 11th Round and Shocks Las Vegas

Las Vegas expected a short night. On November 9, 1996, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Mike Tyson defended his WBA heavyweight title against Evander Holyfield in a fight billed simply as "Finally." The two had been scheduled to meet twice before, in 1990 and 1991, and both bouts fell through.

Tyson, 30, had returned from prison and was tearing through opponents, winning back two title belts with quick stoppages. Holyfield, 34, was a former undisputed champion whom many writers thought was past his prime. Oddsmakers made him a big underdog, and some sports books had him as high as 25-1.

Nobody told Holyfield. Tyson landed hard early, but "The Real Deal" took the punches and kept coming. He leaned on Tyson, beat him to the punch and refused to be pushed around. In the sixth round Holyfield dropped Tyson to the canvas, only the second knockdown of Tyson's pro career. In the 10th a big shot sent Tyson staggering across the ring, and the bell barely saved him.

It didn't save him for long. Thirty-seven seconds into the 11th round, Holyfield trapped a dazed Tyson against the ropes and unloaded a flurry until referee Mitch Halpern jumped in and stopped it. Holyfield had won a heavyweight title for the third time, joining Muhammad Ali as the only men to do it.

The Ring named it both Fight of the Year and Upset of the Year. Their rematch the next June became infamous for an ear-biting disqualification, but that first night in Vegas belonged to the underdog.

Sam's Take: Everybody counted Holyfield out, and he just kept swinging. That's my kind of champ! I'm small, too, but with my SIS-SAM helmet strapped on and a pocket full of beer nuts, I'm ready to go 11 rounds with any blue jay. 🐿️🥊