EVANDER HOLYFIELDFIVE TIME WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONEvander Holyfield was born in Atmore, Alabama on October 19, 1962, the youngest of nine children. The family then moved to Atlanta, where Holyfield began boxing at age 12 and won the Boys Club boxing tournament. One year later, Holyfield qualified to compete in the Junior Olympics. By 15, Holyfield was the Southeastern Regional Champion, winning both the tournament and the Best Boxer Award. He proceeded to win the bronze medal in the Light Heavyweight division at the 1984 Summer Olympics before turning pro at the age of 21.Originally, Holyfield started his professional career as a light heavyweight, before moving into the cruiserweight and finally heavyweight categories. He made the move into this category to pursue his ultimate goal, the World Heavyweight Championship, and his most famous opponent, Mike Tyson. After entering the division in 1988, Holyfield worked tirelessly over the two years that followed. However, despite multiple wins in the ring, as well as earning the title of Ring Magazine’s Number 1 contender for two years, Holyfield had yet to receive a shot at Tyson’s Heavyweight title. Unfortunately, just before Holyfield was to get his shot, Tyson lost the title to Buster Douglas.In 1990, Holyfield defeated Douglas earning himself the title of undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World. He held this title through 1992. However, Holyfield still wanted to defend his title against the person who had previously held the crown, Tyson. This fight was to take place in November 1991, but got postponed to 1996 and a rematch in 1997, with Holyfield winning both fights. As the former Undisputed World Champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, Holyfield earned himself the nickname “The Real Deal.”