HOLMES v TYSON

After winning all four of his championship bouts in 1987, Tyson's promoter Don King organized a "dream match" with former WBC and IBF Heavyweight champion Larry Holmes. The 38-year-old Holmes had been out of boxing for nearly two years, having retired after two consecutive losses to Michael Spinks, who was then regarded as the lineal champion despite having been stripped of the IBF title. Holmes had difficulty working out a deal with King. However, with an estimated $3 million being offered to him, as well as the intrigue of once again becoming the Heavyweight champion, Holmes ultimately agreed to face Tyson stating, "They stole my title, and I had to come back."