RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, On behalf of all Chicago, the Members of this Body extend a warm welcome to former Heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield. Mr. Holyfield is in town to promote the 8th Annual Night at the Fights amateur boxing tournament, a charitable fundraiser sponsored by the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, founded in 1977 and located at 1431 West Taylor Street in Chicago, is a non-profit, educational institution that has raised over 6 million dollars for scholarships and charitable causes. It is an organization that values Family, Friends, Faith and Community; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Holyfield was born on October 19, 1962 to Annie Laura Holyfield and Isom Coley in Atmore, Alabama. As a youth, Mr. Holyfield enjoyed playing football and boxing; and
WHEREAS, By the time Mr. Holyfield had graduated from high school he was one of the highest-ranked amateur boxers in the Nation. He earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic boxing team in the 1984 Olympics, where he won a bronze medal; and
WHEREAS, After the Olympics, Mr. Holyfield became a professional boxer. At first a light-heavyweight, he moved up to cruiserweight, becoming a legend in that weight class and winning a world championship; and
WHEREAS, After setting a number of records as a cruiserweight, Mr. Holyfield moved up to the Heavyweight division, even though he weighed only 200 pounds. He became the Number One contender after winning his first six fights by knockout. In October 1990, Mr. Holyfield defeated the reigning champion, Buster Douglas, in three rounds to become the new undisputed Heavyweight champion of the world; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Holyfield went on to defeat such legendary champions as George Foreman, Riddick Bowe, Larry Holmes and Mike Tyson; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Holyfield's professional boxing career lasted from 1984 to 2011, an amazing length of time in such a physically punishing sport. He finished his career with an impressive record of 44 wins, 10 losses, 2 draws and 1 no contest. He is the only five-time Heavyweight Champion of the World; and
WHEREAS, Evander Holyfield is to be commended for his physical abilities in the ring and his good sportsmanship at all times. He is an inspiration to the youth of America and is truly a role model to be admired by all. We appreciate his presence in Chicago for the youth boxing tournament and congratulate him on being this year's recipient of the Gary Hall Friendship Award presented to him by the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame on February 16. We further applaud Mr. Holyfield for his upcoming induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 11; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twenty-second day of February, 2017, do hereby applaud Evander Holyfield for his many charitable contributions, including those contributions to the Crushers Club youth boxing organization in the City of Chicago; and