Not long after the stink died down and the outrage at least partially calmed down, everyone in the boxing world knew there would have to be a rematch. It was on this day, a quarter of a century ago, that heavyweight kings Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield met again in a fight dubbed “Unfinished Business.”

The draw, which had taken place earlier in March of the same year, had thrown the boxing world into a real state of confusion, anger and suspicions of corruption. Don King, Holyfield’s promoter, bore most of the burden. But the March fight, in which Lewis won fairly comfortably all but two of the three judges, was not under King’s control. Two judges simply behaved poorly. As a result, both men returned home claiming to be the heavyweight ruler.

But what will happen in the sequel? Surely Lennox, the bigger and younger man, would get the victory this time, a deserved victory? Perhaps it will be by KO or stoppage.

The rematch took place in Las Vegas, Fresh York, not in the mood to host a sequel. Lewis was now 34 years elderly and in great shape. The current WBC champion had a record of 34-1-1(27). Holyfield, who had achieved so much in the sport at both cruiserweight and heavyweight, was now 37 years elderly and had a record of 36-3-1(25).

This time the fans got a good fight and, ironically, a much fiercer fight than the so-called draw fight. Holyfield, always exceptional in rematches, lost the first rounds, but in the middle rounds “The Real Deal” occurred and he scored points. Lewis was cautious when many people thought he would pick the brute and win by KO without a doubt. It was a good fight and the seventh round was exceptional in terms of double action.

Lewis won most of the championship rounds, with the 12th and final round split by three judges. Once again, everything was decided on the cards and this time Lewis won by scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113.

Some eminent reporters had a victory at Holyfield, such as Briton Colin Hart. But Lewis was now the undisputed ruler of the heavyweight division, and his career was at its peak. There will be no third fight. Both men, of course, continued to fight. Lewis defended his title three times before being sensationally upset by Hasim Rahman. Lennox gained revenge via KO and then defended the title three times. Whatever; Lewis was stripped of his WBA belt shortly after defeating Holyfield.

Evander continued to fight for some time after losing to Lewis, becoming the first-ever four-time heavyweight champion by defeating John Ruiz and winning Lewis’ stripped WBA belt.

Two great warriors, each with a different style and personality. It’s up for grabs as to who is the better player of the two – Lewis or Holyfield.

Lewis retired with a record of 41-2-1(32). Holyfield left with a mark of 44-10-2(29).

No great ring should ever be forgotten, especially not one who is currently fighting against one of the most cruel enemies imaginable. Mexican fighter Israel Vazquez, also known as “Magnifico”, is currently battling cancer. The gloomy news was interrupted by a WBC press article in which the governing body asked us all to “unite for Israel Vazquez.”

It’s the least we can do.

Vazquez, who went to war in extremely fierce and inspiring fights with Rafael Marquez (four times, the first three fights considered contemporary classics at a lower weight, then two Mexicans fought a fourth fight and their intense rivalry ended with a score of 2-2), and Oscar Larios and Jhonny Gonzalez finished their ring careers with a good record of 44-5(32).

After retiring in 2010, Vazquez was at risk of losing one eye, which had to be removed and replaced with a prosthesis. I think – and hope – that in the end it didn’t happen and the eye was saved. But now, at the age of 46 (Israel was born on Christmas Day 1977), the former three-time king of the ring goes to war with one of his most formidable opponents.

Fundraising efforts are currently underway to facilitate this fallen but always incredibly proud warrior, and articles about Israel’s plight have appeared around the world. Vazquez, who lit up the 122-pound division and wowed millions, is too proud to ask for facilitate, so others do it for him.

If you would like to facilitate this great former champion in his time of need, you can do so here:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with-israel-vasquez-against-cancer

Let us never, ever forget our great kings of the ring, especially when they are still here to receive your cheers and facilitate.

Israel Vazquez has given us some truly unique fights during his illustrious boxing career. He was and is a truly exceptional person.

Today marks the 10th anniversary of a fight in which many people were genuinely concerned about one of the combatants. Over the years, the great Bernard Hopkins managed to hold his own against Father Time, the Philadelphia ring general, who scored extremely impressive victories over much younger and more threatening fighters such as Kelly Pavlik, Jean Pascal and Tavoris Cloud. But this time, going with “The Crusher” against the all-powerful Sergei Kovalev, Hopkins, the holder of two major belts at 175 pounds at the age of 49, was taking a risk.

Hopkins, who was 55-6-2 and won a decision over Beibut Shumenov, would have exaggerated his skill and luck too much against the Russian beast.

Kovalev was 31 years elderly at the time of the fight and was undefeated with a record of 25-0-1. Disturbingly for Hopkins and his fans, Kovalev has defeated his previous nine opponents and scored a knockout in each of his fights as the WBO featherlight heavyweight champion. Kovalev had every intention of inflicting stern harm on the almost 50-year-old, so it was being considered in some circles.

The fight, dubbed “Alien Vs. Krusher” took place at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Since many fans were prepared for something brutal, instead we saw a one-sided fight largely devoid of action and violence. Kovalev dropped Hopkins in the first round with a right hand to the head, and from that point on, Hopkins boxed extremely carefully, defensively, some would say scared. But Hopkins must have been shrewd or else he was, but Kovalev dominated every minute of all 12 rounds.

Hopkins threw very little, and his aging legs carried him to safety in each session. Ultimately, Kovalev was denied a knockout, but he triumphed with lopsided scores of 120-106 and 120-107, 120-107. Kovalev was now a three-lane world champion and proved to the boxing world that Hopkins was very human.

Hopkins dared to be great again, but this time he somehow failed. But it didn’t/doesn’t matter; Hopkins has long cemented his place in the history books. Hopkins could have won after a victory over Pascal, after a victory over Cloud, or after a victory over Shumenov. Ultimately, Hopkins took advantage of his luck and faced Kovalev.

However, surprisingly, B-Hop still wasn’t finished as he had one more fight, a little over two years later against Joe Smith Jr. Smith Jr managed to do what Kovalev failed to do by throwing Hopkins off the ropes, and “The Alien” was stopped in the eighth round.

Kovalev dominated the 175-pound division until November 2016, when he was defeated by Andre Ward. Kovalev lost the rematch with Ward, but he, like Hopkins, continued the fight, and “Krusher” took his turn fighting as an elderly man. Kovalev last fought in May this year at the age of 41.