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 impre...
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