Evander Holyfield vs. Adílson Rodrigues was a professional boxing match contested on July 15, 1989 for the WBC continental Americas heavyweight title.
Background In his previous fight, Evander Holyfield had captured the WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title after defeating Michael Dokes by a TKO in round 10 on March 11, 1989. The winner was expected to become the next-in-line for a shot at Mike Tyson's undisputed heavyweight title, but Tyson's promoter Don King chose to forgo the anticipated Tyson–Holyfield bout and instead organized a fight between Tyson and DokesKing: Dokes, Not Holyfield, to Be Next for Tyson, LA Times article, 1989-08-04 Retrieved on 2020-03-18 (Tyson would eventually face James "Buster" Douglas as his next opponent after a money dispute between Dokes and KingWhy Dokes Lost His Chance to Fight Tyson, NY Times article, 1989-09-13 Retrieved on 2020-03-19) After failing to get a match with Tyson, Holyfield moved on to face Adílson Rodrigues in what would be the first defense of his Continental Americas title.Holyfield Gets Rodrigues, Wants Tyson, UPI article, 1989-05-25 Retrieved on 2020-03-19 Rodrigues was the number two ranked heavyweight by the WBC behind Holyfield and had enlisted the help of legendary trainer Angelo Dundee, but was instilled as a major 11–1 underdog.Lean and Mean, Sports Illustrated article, 1989-07-24 Retrieved on 2020-03-19
The fight Rodrigues would get off to a good start, controlling the first round by landing frequent shots to both Holyfield's body and head. Rodrigues would start the second round aggressively, continuing to throw power punches at Holyfield. However, the fight would come to a sudden end when midway through the round Holyfield landed a left-right combination followed by an overhand right that dropped Rodrigues who was knocked out cold after his head hit the canvas. Rodrigues would not move as referee Mills Lane counted to 10 and Holyfield was declared the winner by knockout at 1:29 of the round. Rodrigues would lie motionless on the canvas for over a minute before his corner was able to revive him.
Aftermath Lane would say after the fight "I could have counted to 50, at 10 he wasn't moving. That Holyfield has a heavy hand."Holyfield's Right Stops Rodrigues in 2d Round , NY Times article, 1989-07-16 Retrieved on 2020-03-16
Undercard Confirmed bouts:
Broadcasting Country Broadcaster Showtime
References