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).

And we think that today we will have a great marathon, all-night fight cards! Well, here we are, saying what you want (and have said) about Turki Alalshikh and his seemingly hellish desire to “take over” boxing. Still, we had some great stacked fight cards thanks to a Saudi financier’s involvement in our great sport (let’s just hope it always remains ours for all to enjoy and respect).

But there have been great all-night parties before – many times. But one of the very special, most memorable and outstanding all-night boxing events worth the money took place on this day in 1996. Slightly older UK fight fans may remember where they were on Judgment Night – November 9, 1996.

Sky Sports was still up-to-date to the UK at the time, while pay-per-view services were even newer and cheaper than they would become. But regardless of the price, fight fans knew they could NOT miss it. This bill. Live, from the comfort of their front rooms, millions of British boxing fans made themselves comfortable, ordered pints and takeaways and watched the action:

From the Nynex Arena in Manchester:

Ronald Winky Wright Ensley Bingham Fight
Naseem Hamed vs. Remigio Molina
Danny Williams Michael Murray fight
Steve Collins Nigel Benn fight (rematch)
Herbie Hide vs. Frankie Swindell
Michael Brodie Miguel Matthews Fight.

Then from MGM in Las Vegas:

Scott Welch Daniel Eduardo Netto Fight
Christy Martin vs. Bethany Payne
Henry Akinwande vs. Alexander Zhovkin
Michael Moorer Frans Botha fight
Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield.

Phew!

And on top of a yearly subscription, it was all available to fight fans in the UK for just £10! Of course, the Tyson fight really got us all involved. So many of us, in fact almost all of us, felt that Tyson would almost kill Holyfield – the brave fighter who had recently suffered a “heart attack” and who was now being “fed” with the “better than ever” Tyson. I remember almost getting laughed at in the pub the night before the fight. This suggests that Holyfield may have a chance against Tyson!

It was depressed to see Nigel Benn end at the hands of the teak-proof Collins, while ‘Prince’ Naseem was established as a massive star in the UK. It was great to see the wonderful Winky Wright box in the UK, which was avoided by the elite as Winky was in the US, you might say, dodged. Herbie Hide has always been entertaining, while Danny Williams, like Mike Tyson, is still fighting (or trying to do so) today!

Women’s boxing was still too up-to-date for most of us to appreciate and understand, but Christy Martin proved to be a true pioneer who changed our perception when it came to watching women fight in the ring. Michael Moorer, of course best known then as now for being on the wrong side of George Foreman’s punch for the ages (or ages) in November 1994, put in a fine performance against a stubborn but ultimately held off Botha.

And then came the BIG one. Tyson vs. Tyson Holyfield – “Finally!”

It was already early morning in the UK, but none of us at my party were thinking about going to sleep. Accompanied on screen by superstars Barry McGuigan, Paul Dempsey and Emanuel Steward (who gave excellent interviews during the long broadcast), we were all wide awake when Tyson entered the ring. Quite amazingly, Tyson was met with a few boos mixed with cheers. Holyfield was a hero and plenty of fans were rooting for him to become an even bigger hero.

And it happened. Holyfield shocked, stunned, excited and moved us when he fought one of his best fights, defeating Tyson. Knocking Tyson down, punching him, beating Tyson, and then, in the 11th round, stopping the man he had always wanted to fight, “The Real Deal” was a hit, a puncher, on top of the world. It was a great moment, the culmination of a truly great, multi-hour thriller marathon or fight night.

“Judgment Night”.

Where were you and do you still clearly remember the magical glow that illuminated us that night 28 years ago?

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.