Moments ago, future Hall of Famer Evander "The Real Deal" Holyfield's ongoing quest to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world hit a snag after a clash of heads with opponent Sherman Williams opened up a cut that forced the fight to be stopped after only 3 rounds of action. Although the 48-year-old Holyfield looked fresh and young as he danced on his toes, it was the younger and shorter Williams who was landing the more telling blows, even wobbling Holyfield on a couple of occassions prior to the end. After the clash of heads occurred towards the end of the second round, it was Williams who appeared to be taking over the fight in third as he continuously found a home for his looping overhand right. Upon returning to his corner, Holyfield could be heard complaining about not being able to see out of his eye due to the blood flowing from the cut. Shortly after the referee advised Holyfield's corner that the outcome would be ruled either a no contest or a technical draw, the bout was abruptly stopped. Relive all the action in FightHype's in-depth, minute-by-minute round-by-round results.
ROUND 1
Holyfield comes out looking quick and fresh as he bounces on his toes and looks to establish his jab. Overhand right misses for Holyfield and Williams tries to rough him up on the inside. Both men swinging and missing with some big punches. Stiff jab lands for Holyfield. Williams looks cautious. Left hook lands for Holyfield and Williams ties him up. Williams lands a dirty left hook on the break after he ate a headbutt from Holyfield. Both men trade on the inside. Overhand right lands at the end for Williams. Close round and not much action to choose from, but I give it to Williams.
Holyfield 9 Williams 10
ROUND 2
Holyfield continues to dance on his toes. Williams lands a left hook. Jab and a right hand lands for Holyfield. They trade jabs. Williams lands a right to the body. Stiff double jab lands for Holyfield. Nice left hook and a right hand lands for Holyfield. Williams just misses with a haymaker overhand right, but he sneaks a left hook in. Quick three-punch combo for Holyfield is partially blocked. A clash of heads appears to open up a cut over Holyfield's left eye. Williams digs a combo to the body. Another close round, but I give this one to Holyfield.
Holyfield 19 Williams 19
ROUND 3
Short left down the middle lands for Holyfield. Quick 1-2 from Holyfield backs Williams up and forces him to tie up. Looping overhand right from Williams misses. 1-2 to the body lands for Williams and a nice right hand connects upstairs. Woooooo...another overhand right lands for Williams. Right down the middle and another right hook lands for Williams and Holyfield wobbles momentarily. Left hook and another BIG looping overhand right lands for Williams and Holyfield buckles at the bell. Round to Williams.
Holyfield 28 Williams 29
Holyfield complaining that he can't see due to blood coming from a cut over his eye. His corner is asking him if he wants them to stop it. The referee comes over and you can hear him advising them that it will either be a "no contest or a technical draw." Wow. That's it. They call a halt to the fight due to the cut.
THE FIGHT IS RULED A NO CONTEST DUE TO IT NOT GOING AT LEAST 4 ROUNDS
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