Tag: Evander Holyfield

Weekend Review: Oleksandr Usyk made history with transcendent performance

Weekend Review: Oleksandr Usyk made history with a transcendent performance against Tyson Fury on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER
Oleksandr Usyk

Oleksandr Usyk (right) did a lot of damage with his left hand. Richard Pelham / Getty Images

I used to roll my eyes when anyone compared Usyk to another cruiserweight titleholder who became heavyweight champion, Evander Holyfield, who I believe is among the two or three best fighters pound-for-pound over the past 40 years.

I can’t do that anymore, not after what Usyk did on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

Usyk overcame a slow start and a spirited effort from Tyson Fury to score a pivotal ninth-round knockdown and go on to win a split decision in an epic battle between the two best fighters in the division, thus becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champ since Lennox Lewis a quarter century ago.

And he relied as much on grit as his boxing wizardry to do it. He appeared to be in trouble in the first half of the fight, as Fury was able to land heavy punches – many to the body – surprisingly consistently given Usyk’s technical ability.

Usyk not only survived the rough stretch but managed to turn the tables in the second half of the fight, highlighted by a monstrous left to the head that resulted in a standing knockdown and nearly ended Fury’s night in Round 9. Usyk went on to outwork Fury down the stretch, which was enough to have his hand raised.

One could argue that Fury did enough to get the nod – Fury himself pleaded his case afterward – but few outside the loser’s camp is crying robbery. Usyk earned the greatest victory of his career.

The 37-year-old Ukrainian has defeated former heavyweight king Anthony Joshua in back-to-back fights and now Fury in a four-fight span even though he was dwarfed by both of them, leaving little doubt that he’s the top heavyweight at least until an anticipated rematch with Fury and an all-time great.

I still have trouble comparing Usyk to Holyfield, who was a dominating 190-pounder (the cruiserweight limit at the time) and went on to become a four-time heavyweight champion. I believe he would’ve been the greatest heavyweight ever if he were naturally bigger.

I now have similar thoughts about Usyk. He defeated the gifted Fury even though he was outweighed by 38½ pounds. What he would’ve done if they were the same size? Fury, as well as Joshua, wouldn’t want to know the answer to the question.

The fact he is 3-0 against them as a blown-up cruiserweight is nothing short of remarkable, just as Holyfield’s success against bigger men was in his generation.

We’re privileged to be witnessing something so special.

 

BIGGEST LOSER
Tyson Fury

Tyson Fury (left) gave a strong performance in defeat  Richard Pelham / Getty Images

The “0” in Fury’s record is gone but he certainly has nothing to be ashamed of.

In fact, he gave one of the better performances of his career given Usyk’s ability and determination. He seemed to be in control of the fight by the middle rounds, using his combination of skills and athleticism to land eye-catching shots consistently.

And his recuperative powers were on full display in Round 9, when Usyk’s left hand staggered him and a follow-up barrage of power shots almost put him away. His ability to not only survive the harrowing moment but come back to fight hard down the stretch is a testament to his conditioning and will power.

However, the 10-8 round proved costly for Fury. Had it been a 10-9 round for Usyk, the two 114-113 scores would’ve been 114-114 and the fight would’ve ended in a draw.

Alas, Fury must now accept the fact that he has lost for the first time. And we must reevaluate the way we look at him, at least to some degree. He had a chance to confirm what many believed going into the fight, that he was the premier big man in the sport.

Instead, he can only claim to be second best at the moment. That’s not bad but Fury won’t embrace that designation, particularly because he feels he did enough to get the decision.

Fortunately for him, it appears that he’s going to get a second chance. He indicated after the fight that he would exercise the rematch clause in the contract signed by the fighters, and Usyk made it clear he has no problem with that.

If Fury wins, particularly if he can do it convincingly, he can reclaim his spot atop the division and much of what he lost. If he loses again, he’ll be remembered as a guy who came up short.

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5 greatest cruiserweights-turned-heavyweights: Where does Oleksandr Usyk fit in?

Boxing Junkie gives you the five greatest cruiserweights-turned-heavyweights. Where does Oleksandr Usyk fit in?

Oleksandr Usyk went from a cruiserweight champion to a legend overnight.

Back-to-back decisions over one of the era’s top heavyweights, two-time champion Anthony Joshua, will have that kind of impact on a fighter’s legacy. The 36-year-old Ukrainian became a first-ballot Hall of Famer by winning those fights if he wasn’t before.

But where does Usyk rank among the best cruiserweights-turned-heavyweights?

We gave that a great deal thought as he prepares to defend his titles against Daniel Dubois on Saturday night in Wroclaw, Poland (ESPN+), and came up with a list.

Our Top 5 is below.

Note: Roy Jones Jr. isn’t included here because he jumped over cruiserweight – from light heavyweight to heavyweight –when he outpointed John Ruiz to win the title in 2003.

Also, the cruiserweight limit was changed from 190 pounds to 200 in 2003. The heavyweight records included here reflect any bout in which the fighter was over the cruiserweight limit at the time.

NO. 5 TOMASZ ADAMEK

Years active: 1999-2018
Overall record: 53-6 (32 KOs)
Heavyweight record: 16-5 (6 KOs)
Heavyweight titles: None
Height: 6-1½
Background: Adamek, a skillful, rugged Pole, won major titles at light heavyweight and cruiserweight before trying his luck at heavyweight. He lost only once at the lower weights (a unanimous decision against talented Chad Dawson), which gives you an idea of his ability. He fell short in his only heavyweight title fight to gigantic Hall of Famer Vitali Klitschko by a 10th-round knockout but he had victories over a number notable big men, including countryman Andrew Golota, Chris Arreola, Michael Grant, Eddie Chambers and Steve Cunningham. He faded down the stretch of his career, an indication that he hung on too long. Still, he’ll be remembered as an excellent 175- and 200-pounder who held his own against naturally bigger men in the sport’s glamour division.

NO. 4 JAMES TONEY

Years active: 1988-2017
Overall record: 77-10-3 (47 KOs)
Heavyweight record: 20-5-1 (11 KOs)
Heavyweight titles: None
Height: 5-10
Background: Toney was one of the most skillful boxers of all time. He was a major player in the middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, putting him in a similar class with fellow Hall of Famers Bob Fitzsimmons and Roy Jones Jr. He won titles at 160, 168 and 190-200 before becoming a full-fledged heavyweight. He actually won a major heavyweight title fight, outpointing then-champion John Ruiz in 2005. However, the result was changed to no-contest after Toney tested positive for a banned substance. Still, he had a long career at heavyweight that included a knockout victory over Evander Holyfield in 2003, making him one of only two men (with Riddick Bowe) to stop the great Hall of Famer. His off-the-charts boxing acumen made him a difficult foe for anyone at any weight.

NO. 3 DAVID HAYE

Years active: 2002-18
Overall record: 28-4 (26 KOs)
Heavyweight record: 10-3 (9 KOs)
Heavyweight titles: WBA (2009-11)
Height: 6-3
Background: The tall, but lean Briton was a good, athletic boxer with explosive knockout power, which made him almost untouchable as a cruiserweight. He slipped up only against veteran Carl Thompson early in his career and went on to win three major titles before making the move to heavyweight. He was undersized in the sport’s heaviest division but he carried his power to the top, as his knockout ratio indicates. He became the second former cruiserweight to win a heavyweight title when he defeated Russian giant Nikolai Valuev by a majority decision in 2009 and successfully defended against veteran John Ruiz and Audley Harrison the following year. He fell flat in his next fight, a one-sided decision loss to champion Wladimir Klitschko in which he appeared to be out of his element. He rebounded to stop Derek Chisora but had no significant victories after that.

NO. 2 OLEKSANDR USYK

Years active: 2013-present
Overall record: 20-0 (13 KOs)
Heavyweight record: 4-0 (1 KO)
Heavyweight titles: IBF, WBA and WBO (2021-present)
Height: 6-3
Background: The boxing savant from Ukraine has accomplished a great deal in only 20 fights, winning major belts in two divisions, going 9-0 in title fights and becoming a pound-for-pound mainstay. He was untouchable as a cruiserweight, the only exception being a close decision over Mairis Briedis in 2018. He moved up to heavyweight the following year, stopping Chazz Witherspoon in seven rounds and outpointing Derek Chisora. Then he made history, outboxing champion Anthony Joshua to win a clear decision and three major titles in 2021 and winning a split decision in the rematch 11 months later. His biggest challenge probably lies ahead – a meeting with fellow beltholder Tyson Fury for the undisputed championship – but he’ll be remembered as one of the most remarkable fighters of his generation regardless of what the future holds.

NO. 1 EVANDER HOLYFIELD

Years active: 1984-2011
Overall record: 44-10-2 (29 KOs)
Heavyweight record: 26-10-2 (15 KOs)
Heavyweight titles: IBF, WBA and WBC (1990-92); IBF and WBA (1993-94); WBA (1996-99); IBF (1997-99); WBA (2000-01)
Height: 6-2½
Background: Holyfield is one of the greatest fighters of all time pound-for-pound and arguably one of the best heavyweights in spite of his naturally small frame. The masterful boxer-puncher was a dominating cruiserweight when the weight limit was 190, going 18-0 (14 KOs) and reigning as champion from 1986 to 1988. He fought the next 23 years as a heavyweight. Most notably he became the only man to reign as a major titleholder four times, breaking Muhammad Ali’s record of three reigns. His greatest victories probably came against Buster Douglas (to win the championship), Riddick Bowe (in one of three fights) and Mike Tyson (twice) but his list of quality victories is too long to include here. He struggled against particularly big opponents who could also box – Bowe and Lennox Lewis – and fought far too long but all of those who saw him fight in his prime will always marvel at his all-around ability and breathtaking fighting spirit.

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5 greatest cruiserweights-turned-heavyweights: Where does Oleksandr Usyk fit in?

Boxing Junkie gives you the five greatest cruiserweights-turned-heavyweights. Where does Oleksandr Usyk fit in?

Oleksandr Usyk went from a cruiserweight champion to a legend overnight.

Back-to-back decisions over one of the era’s top heavyweights, two-time champion Anthony Joshua, will have that kind of impact on a fighter’s legacy. The 36-year-old Ukrainian became a first-ballot Hall of Famer by winning those fights if he wasn’t before.

But where does Usyk rank among the best cruiserweights-turned-heavyweights?

We gave that a great deal thought as he prepares to defend his titles against Daniel Dubois on Saturday night in Wroclaw, Poland (ESPN+), and came up with a list.

Our Top 5 is below.

Note: Roy Jones Jr. isn’t included here because he jumped over cruiserweight – from light heavyweight to heavyweight –when he outpointed John Ruiz to win the title in 2003.

Also, the cruiserweight limit was changed from 190 pounds to 200 in 2003. The heavyweight records included here reflect any bout in which the fighter was over the cruiserweight limit at the time.

NO. 5 TOMASZ ADAMEK

Years active: 1999-2018
Overall record: 53-6 (32 KOs)
Heavyweight record: 16-5 (6 KOs)
Heavyweight titles: None
Height: 6-1½
Background: Adamek, a skillful, rugged Pole, won major titles at light heavyweight and cruiserweight before trying his luck at heavyweight. He lost only once at the lower weights (a unanimous decision against talented Chad Dawson), which gives you an idea of his ability. He fell short in his only heavyweight title fight to gigantic Hall of Famer Vitali Klitschko by a 10th-round knockout but he had victories over a number notable big men, including countryman Andrew Golota, Chris Arreola, Michael Grant, Eddie Chambers and Steve Cunningham. He faded down the stretch of his career, an indication that he hung on too long. Still, he’ll be remembered as an excellent 175- and 200-pounder who held his own against naturally bigger men in the sport’s glamour division.

NO. 4 JAMES TONEY

Years active: 1988-2017
Overall record: 77-10-3 (47 KOs)
Heavyweight record: 20-5-1 (11 KOs)
Heavyweight titles: None
Height: 5-10
Background: Toney was one of the most skillful boxers of all time. He was a major player in the middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, putting him in a similar class with fellow Hall of Famers Bob Fitzsimmons and Roy Jones Jr. He won titles at 160, 168 and 190-200 before becoming a full-fledged heavyweight. He actually won a major heavyweight title fight, outpointing then-champion John Ruiz in 2005. However, the result was changed to no-contest after Toney tested positive for a banned substance. Still, he had a long career at heavyweight that included a knockout victory over Evander Holyfield in 2003, making him one of only two men (with Riddick Bowe) to stop the great Hall of Famer. His off-the-charts boxing acumen made him a difficult foe for anyone at any weight.

NO. 3 DAVID HAYE

Years active: 2002-18
Overall record: 28-4 (26 KOs)
Heavyweight record: 10-3 (9 KOs)
Heavyweight titles: WBA (2009-11)
Height: 6-3
Background: The tall, but lean Briton was a good, athletic boxer with explosive knockout power, which made him almost untouchable as a cruiserweight. He slipped up only against veteran Carl Thompson early in his career and went on to win three major titles before making the move to heavyweight. He was undersized in the sport’s heaviest division but he carried his power to the top, as his knockout ratio indicates. He became the second former cruiserweight to win a heavyweight title when he defeated Russian giant Nikolai Valuev by a majority decision in 2009 and successfully defended against veteran John Ruiz and Audley Harrison the following year. He fell flat in his next fight, a one-sided decision loss to champion Wladimir Klitschko in which he appeared to be out of his element. He rebounded to stop Derek Chisora but had no significant victories after that.

NO. 2 OLEKSANDR USYK

Years active: 2013-present
Overall record: 20-0 (13 KOs)
Heavyweight record: 4-0 (1 KO)
Heavyweight titles: IBF, WBA and WBO (2021-present)
Height: 6-3
Background: The boxing savant from Ukraine has accomplished a great deal in only 20 fights, winning major belts in two divisions, going 9-0 in title fights and becoming a pound-for-pound mainstay. He was untouchable as a cruiserweight, the only exception being a close decision over Mairis Briedis in 2018. He moved up to heavyweight the following year, stopping Chazz Witherspoon in seven rounds and outpointing Derek Chisora. Then he made history, outboxing champion Anthony Joshua to win a clear decision and three major titles in 2021 and winning a split decision in the rematch 11 months later. His biggest challenge probably lies ahead – a meeting with fellow beltholder Tyson Fury for the undisputed championship – but he’ll be remembered as one of the most remarkable fighters of his generation regardless of what the future holds.

NO. 1 EVANDER HOLYFIELD

Years active: 1984-2011
Overall record: 44-10-2 (29 KOs)
Heavyweight record: 26-10-2 (15 KOs)
Heavyweight titles: IBF, WBA and WBC (1990-92); IBF and WBA (1993-94); WBA (1996-99); IBF (1997-99); WBA (2000-01)
Height: 6-2½
Background: Holyfield is one of the greatest fighters of all time pound-for-pound and arguably one of the best heavyweights in spite of his naturally small frame. The masterful boxer-puncher was a dominating cruiserweight when the weight limit was 190, going 18-0 (14 KOs) and reigning as champion from 1986 to 1988. He fought the next 23 years as a heavyweight. Most notably he became the only man to reign as a major titleholder four times, breaking Muhammad Ali’s record of three reigns. His greatest victories probably came against Buster Douglas (to win the championship), Riddick Bowe (in one of three fights) and Mike Tyson (twice) but his list of quality victories is too long to include here. He struggled against particularly big opponents who could also box – Bowe and Lennox Lewis – and fought far too long but all of those who saw him fight in his prime will always marvel at his all-around ability and breathtaking fighting spirit.

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7 boxers on list of 50 highest-paid athletes of all time, led by No. 8 Floyd Mayweather

Seven boxers are on a Sportico list of the 50 highest-paid athletes of all time, led by No. 8 Floyd Mayweather at $1.41 billion.

Boxers have always been among the highest-paid athletes. A Sportico report confirms that.

Seven boxers made the sports business media outlet’s list of the 50 highest-paid athletes of all time, including income from salary, purses, endorsements and other sources that is adjusted for inflation. That’s 14%, or around one in seven athletes on the list.

Floyd Mayweather is the highest-ranking boxer at No. 8, with $1.41 billion in earnings ($1.11 billion non-inflation adjusted).

Other boxers on the list are:

  • 16 Mike Tyson, $875 million ($455 million)
  • 21 Manny Pacquiao, $725 million ($560 million)
  • 24 George Foreman, $680 million ($355 million)
  • 27 Oscar De La hoya, $665 million ($410.3 million)
  • 38 Evander Holyfield, $600 million ($310.2 million)
  • 48 Canelo Alvarez, $525 million ($460 million)

Alvarez, 32, remains active, meaning he presumably will climb the list in the coming years.

Former National Basketball Assocation star Michael Jordan is No. 1 with $3.3 billion ($2.37 billion) in earnings. The NBA has 13 players on the list, more than any other sport.

Sportico explained how it arrived at its figures:

“Our earnings estimates are based on conversations with industry insiders. Sportico research and historical estimates in media outlets, such as Forbes and Sports Illustrated. Earnings include salaries, bonuses, prize money, purses, endorsements licensing, royalties, memorabilia, book deals, media, appearances and golf course design fees. We included cash earned from equity stakes in sponsor companies, like LeBron James’ stake in Beats Electronics, Kevin Durant’s share of Postmates and James Harden’s piece of BodyArmor.

“We did not factor in traditional investment income. Sportico included earnings during playing careers and retirement through 2022 and adjusted them for inflation. Earnings are calculated up until the time of death for Arnold Palmer and Kobe Bryant. All earnings are pre-tax and before any fees for agents and lawyers.”

7 boxers on list of 50 highest-paid athletes of all time, led by No. 8 Floyd Mayweather

Seven boxers are on a Sportico list of the 50 highest-paid athletes of all time, led by No. 8 Floyd Mayweather at $1.41 billion.

Boxers have always been among the highest-paid athletes. A Sportico report confirms that.

Seven boxers made the sports business media outlet’s list of the 50 highest-paid athletes of all time, including income from salary, purses, endorsements and other sources that is adjusted for inflation. That’s 14%, or around one in seven athletes on the list.

Floyd Mayweather is the highest-ranking boxer at No. 8, with $1.41 billion in earnings ($1.11 billion non-inflation adjusted).

Other boxers on the list are:

  • 16 Mike Tyson, $875 million ($455 million)
  • 21 Manny Pacquiao, $725 million ($560 million)
  • 24 George Foreman, $680 million ($355 million)
  • 27 Oscar De La hoya, $665 million ($410.3 million)
  • 38 Evander Holyfield, $600 million ($310.2 million)
  • 48 Canelo Alvarez, $525 million ($460 million)

Alvarez, 32, remains active, meaning he presumably will climb the list in the coming years.

Former National Basketball Assocation star Michael Jordan is No. 1 with $3.3 billion ($2.37 billion) in earnings. The NBA has 13 players on the list, more than any other sport.

Sportico explained how it arrived at its figures:

“Our earnings estimates are based on conversations with industry insiders. Sportico research and historical estimates in media outlets, such as Forbes and Sports Illustrated. Earnings include salaries, bonuses, prize money, purses, endorsements licensing, royalties, memorabilia, book deals, media, appearances and golf course design fees. We included cash earned from equity stakes in sponsor companies, like LeBron James’ stake in Beats Electronics, Kevin Durant’s share of Postmates and James Harden’s piece of BodyArmor.

“We did not factor in traditional investment income. Sportico included earnings during playing careers and retirement through 2022 and adjusted them for inflation. Earnings are calculated up until the time of death for Arnold Palmer and Kobe Bryant. All earnings are pre-tax and before any fees for agents and lawyers.”

Mills Lane, Hall of Fame referee from 1970s-’90s, dies at 85

Mills Lane, an iconic referee in 1970s, ’80s and ’90s, has died at 85 years old.

Mills Lane, a former boxer who became one of the best-known referees over the past half century and a Hall of Famer, died Tuesday morning in Reno, Nevada. He was 85.

Lane’s son, Tommy Lane, told the Reno Gazette Journal that his father had been in hospice care for the past week. The elder Lane had a stroke 20 years ago, which ended his career.

“He took a significant decline in his overall situation,” Tommy Lane told the newspaper. “It was a quick departure. He was comfortable and he was surrounded by his family. …

“You never knew how long he had. We kind of felt like we were preparing for this all along., but there’s no such thing as preparing for this.”

Mills Lane worked many of the biggest fights from the 1970s to the ’90s, reportedly serving as the third man in the ring for more than 100 championship fights.

He was probably best known for the second Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield fight in 1997 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the “Bite Fight,” in which Tyson chewed off a portion of Holyfield’s ear. Lane disqualified Tyson the second time he bit Holyfield.

And he worked the Holyfield-Riddick Bowe “Fan Man” fight in 1993, in which a man paraglided into the ring ropes.

Lane also became known for his pre-fight catch phrase of “Let’s Get it on”

“There was no fight we wouldn’t put him in,” Marc Ratner, the former executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, told the Los Angeles Times in 1991 (per BoxingScene.com). “He was as good as any referee in the world. I don’t care if it was a heavyweight fight or smaller guys, when he said, ‘Break’ and got in between guys, the fighters respected him.

“Not all referees have that. He was no-nonsense. He took control. There was an aura about him.”

Lane also was a prosecutor in Washoe County (Nevada) District Attorney’s office for most of the 1970s and ’80s, eventually being elected district attorney. He became a judge in the 1990s, after which he starred in the TV series “Judge Mills Lane.” That lasted three years.

The justice administration building in Reno is named after Lane.

Lane started boxing in the Marines. He fought professionally in the 1960s, compiling a record of 10-1 (6 KOs). He lost his debut and then went undefeated.

Tommy Lane told the Gazette Journal that no funeral service is planned but he added that the family might stage a memorial at some point.

Mills Lane, Hall of Fame referee from 1970s-’90s, dies at 85

Mills Lane, an iconic referee in 1970s, ’80s and ’90s, has died at 85 years old.

Mills Lane, a former boxer who became one of the best-known referees over the past half century and a Hall of Famer, died Tuesday morning in Reno, Nevada. He was 85.

Lane’s son, Tommy Lane, told the Reno Gazette Journal that his father had been in hospice care for the past week. The elder Lane had a stroke 20 years ago, which ended his career.

“He took a significant decline in his overall situation,” Tommy Lane told the newspaper. “It was a quick departure. He was comfortable and he was surrounded by his family. …

“You never knew how long he had. We kind of felt like we were preparing for this all along., but there’s no such thing as preparing for this.”

Mills Lane worked many of the biggest fights from the 1970s to the ’90s, reportedly serving as the third man in the ring for more than 100 championship fights.

He was probably best known for the second Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield fight in 1997 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the “Bite Fight,” in which Tyson chewed off a portion of Holyfield’s ear. Lane disqualified Tyson the second time he bit Holyfield.

And he worked the Holyfield-Riddick Bowe “Fan Man” fight in 1993, in which a man paraglided into the ring ropes.

Lane also became known for his pre-fight catch phrase of “Let’s Get it on”

“There was no fight we wouldn’t put him in,” Marc Ratner, the former executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, told the Los Angeles Times in 1991 (per BoxingScene.com). “He was as good as any referee in the world. I don’t care if it was a heavyweight fight or smaller guys, when he said, ‘Break’ and got in between guys, the fighters respected him.

“Not all referees have that. He was no-nonsense. He took control. There was an aura about him.”

Lane also was a prosecutor in Washoe County (Nevada) District Attorney’s office for most of the 1970s and ’80s, eventually being elected district attorney. He became a judge in the 1990s, after which he starred in the TV series “Judge Mills Lane.” That lasted three years.

The justice administration building in Reno is named after Lane.

Lane started boxing in the Marines. He fought professionally in the 1960s, compiling a record of 10-1 (6 KOs). He lost his debut and then went undefeated.

Tommy Lane told the Gazette Journal that no funeral service is planned but he added that the family might stage a memorial at some point.

Tom Brady invokes Tyson vs. Holyfield ahead of next Saints-Bucs brawl

Tom Brady invoked Tyson vs. Holyfield while surveying the Buccaneers’ standing in the NFC South ahead of their next brawl with the Saints:

Tom Brady is many things, and he’s always good for a quote. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback surveyed the state of the NFC South ahead of his next game with the New Orleans Saints, who will visit them next Monday night. These games are always physical, hard-fought affairs, and both the Saints and Buccaneers are dealing with injuries and tough breaks. So his unique comparison actually checks out.

“We have a losing record but the best part is we’re still in first place in our division. Again, which is hard to imagine,” Brady told ESPN’s Jenna Laine on Tuesday. He continued, “It was like when Evander Holyfield got bit on both his ears and still won the fight against (Mike) Tyson. It wasn’t pretty but he still got the job done.”

Brady’s Buccaneers are on top of the NFC South, sure, but they’re separated by just 1.5 games from the last-place Saints. If a couple of things go their way, New Orleans could end up in first place in just a few weeks. The whole division has looked rough this season, and as Brady observed, his team has been bruised and bloodied. They’ll be without All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs due to a high-ankle sprain, in addition to the attrition that wore down their offensive line over the summer. Of the five starters along the line from last year’s shutout loss to the Saints in Tampa Bay, only left tackle Donovan Smith is returning.

So the Tyson-Holyfield comparison is apt, even without considering the history here. Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans hasn’t been able to catch many passes against the Saints secondary in recent years, so he’s lost his cool and started a couple of fights against them that have led to multiple ejections and suspensions. We don’t know whether Marshon Lattimore will be able to return this week after missing seven games with a lacerated kidney and two broken ribs, but he’d be a big help at least until Evans gets himself thrown out again. The only sure thing is that this game should feature plenty of fireworks in front of a national audience.

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Watch the trailer for ‘Legacy,’ a new series following 3 athletes with famous fathers as they chase their own dreams

New series shows life for the Wade, Cunningham and Holyfield families.

It’s possible you remember Zaire Wade from an adorable picture he appeared in before he could even shoot a basketball. It was taken, in fact, before his father, Dwyane Wade, even played an NBA game.

Pat Riley, then the coach of the Miami Heat, is holding Zaire as the toddler tries to grab his father’s jersey on the day Dwyane, selected No. 5 overall, was presented to local media.

And while Zaire never quite left the public spotlight — his various playing exploits were covered throughout his youth — we’ve never gotten the behind-the-scenes look at his life that a new discovery+ docuseries, ‘Legacy: In the Shadow of Greatness,’ will offer.

Set to release on March 8, with new episodes appearing weekly, the six-part series also tells the story of high jumper Vashti Cunningham and her father, Randall, and boxer Evan Holyfied and his father, Evander.

The series is directed by Jonathan Hock, an 11-time Emmy Award winner who directed five ESPN 30 for 30 episodes.

For The Win got an exclusive early look at the trailer for the new series:

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10 greatest living heavyweights: Is Tyson Fury on the list?

10 greatest living heavyweights: Is Tyson Fury on the list?

When three-time heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali died at 74 in 2016, boxing lost arguably its greatest heavyweight of all time.

Who is currently the No. 1 living heavyweight?

Well, that’s up for debate, which is the point of this special report. Boxing Junkie gives you the 10 greatest living members of the sport’s glamour division.

Here’s the list, in reverse order.