KO'd Buster Douglas in 3rd round to become world hvywt. champion in 1990; lost title to Riddick Bowe in 1992; beat Bowe to reclaim title in 1993; lost title again to Michael Moorer in 1994; defeated Mike Tyson in 1996 to win WBA belt; in 1997 rematch, Tyson was DQ'd for twice biting Holyfield's ear; escaped with controversial draw in 1999 unification bout with Lennox Lewis, then lost the rematch later that year; defeated John Ruiz in Aug. 2000 for vacant WBA belt then lost rematch and belt in March, 2001; the pair fought again in Dec. 2001, this time to a draw.
