This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/29/2019
The story of Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield goes back to 1984 U.S. Olympic Boxing tryouts. Back then the two were not expected to make the team, but Holyfield did by beating the heavily favored Ricky Womack to qualify. While Holyfield was winning a Bronze at the L.A. Summer Olympics, Tyson turned pro and soon became the youngest boxer to win the World Heavyweight Championship. Holyfield worked himself up the pro ranks, first in the Light Heavyweight and then Cruiserweight classes. By 1991 the two were ready to meet head-to-head and a date was set: November 18, 1991 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Fight fans were giddy with the anticipation seeing these two young champs finally face off, but it wasn’t meant to be. After all the publicity, Tyson was forced to pull out with a rib injury sustained in training. And before a new date was set, Iron Mike was arrested and convicted on rape charges. The boxing world would have to wait five long years before these two giants met in the ring for the first time, a bout promoted as “Finally.” Holyfield prevailed, setting up a notorious rematch that put a black eye (or bloody ear if you may) on the sport.
Offered here is a rare “phantom” fight poster promoting the initial planned Tyson-Holyfield bout that was only distributed to select VIPs involved with the event. In addition to being a super scarce piece, it has a very large Mike Tyson signature in bold 9-10/10 silver felt tip marker. A very attractive graphic piece from the most anticipated fight that never was. Includes full LOA from PSA/DNA (AG01601).