This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/1/2011.
Evander Holyfield is a former World Undisputed Champion, both in Cruiserweight and Heavyweight divisions earning him the nickname “The Real Deal”. After winning the bronze medal in the Light Heavyweight division at the 1984 Summer Olympics, he debuted as a professional at the age of 21. Holyfield moved to the Cruiserweight division in 1985 and won his first title the following year. He would then go on to win the IBF and WBC titles, becoming the undisputed Cruiserweight Champion. Holyfield moved up to Heavyweight in 1988, defeating Buster Douglas for the WBA, WBC and IBF titles in 1990. He is the only five-time World Heavyweight champion, winning the WBA, WBC and IBF titles in 1990, the WBA and IBF titles in 1993 and the WBA title in 1996 and 2000. In 2009, he reportedly agreed to fight South African boxer Francois Botha on January 16, 2010, for the WBF World Heavyweight title; it was agreed that the venue for the fight would be the Nelson Mandela Memorial Stadium in Kampala, Uganda. A few weeks before the fight, it was revealed that the bout would be postponed to February 20, 2010. The match was put in jeopardy due to economic disagreements but was later confirmed to be on April 10, 2010 in Las Vegas. When asked about his upcoming bout, Holyfield said, “I’ve been hearing for a while that I can’t do it. All it does is light a fire under me to prove people wrong. I can still fight. I don’t want to leave until I’ve become the undisputed Heavyweight Champion one more time. That’s been my goal the entire time.” Holyfield started slowly against Botha as he held and hit Holyfield and took the control of the fight for the first three rounds. However, the South African could not slow down Holyfield as he slowly began to punch Botha more to take control of the bout in the later rounds. In the seventh round, Holyfield stunned Botha and in the eighth round, floored him with a right to the chin. Though he beat the count, Holyfield cornered Botha and landed many punches that forced the referee Russell Mora to stop the bout. Holyfield scored an eighth round knockout to win the WBF Heavyweight title. Evander remains the sport’s only five-time Heavyweight Champion. This robe comes to us directly from Evander Holyfield. It was worn as he entered the ring at the MGM in Las Vegas on April 10, 2010 before his knockout of Francois Botha to win the WBF Heavyweight title. The robe itself is gorgeous, made of white silk with purple and red sparkle trim. Down the both the right and left sides is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me Phil 4:13” embroidered in white stitch against a purple silk background. On the back of the hood is “max.com” and “PHIL4:13” along with two Holyfield embroidered crests. Inside the left seam are two small flag tags, “XL” and “MADE IN USA”. The robe is in Mint condition and is accompanied by an autographed photo of Evander wearing it as well as video footage of Evander consigning it to Grey Flannel Auctions. All of Evander’s proceeds will go to benefit inner city children in Atlanta. It is well documented that Holyfield keeps all of his personal fight worn items. Needless to say, the opportunity to own a fight worn Holyfield robe is once in a lifetime…and here it is. A true piece of boxing history with undeniable provenance. Grey Flannel will make every effort that the winning bidder get a meet and greet with Holyfield.