An overexcited fan reportedly caused Evander Holyfield to fear for his life while in Los Angeles last month.
According to TMZ, the fan had met Holyfield during a meet and greet in Durarte, located in Los Angeles County, on April 27. After the legendary boxer refused to sign some memorabilia, instead opting to give a signed 8×10 photo, the overeager admirer’s behavior became concerning.
The fan reportedly started following Evander Holyfield on foot before chasing the boxer in his vehicle. While the fan was following Holyfield’s car, the boxer’s team called the Los Angeles Police Department. They met on the side of a Los Angeles street.
The authorities were able to stop the fan and Holyfield arrived at his destination without any other issues. Details about the fan or their intentions while following Holyfield’s vehicle remain unknown.
Evander Holyfield retired from professional boxing in 2011. He is known as one of the most decorated heavyweights of all time. Holyfield is also known for his infamous Mike Tyson 1997 fight, which resulted in Tyson biting part of Holyfield’s ear off.
Just 10 years after retiring, Evander Holyfield entered the ring once again for an exhibition fight with Vitor Belfort.
Evander Holyfield Once Reflected on His 1996 Fight With Mike Tyson
One year before Mike Tyson bit part of his ear off, Evander Holyfield beat the fellow boxing icon. Per Boxing News Online, Holyfield opened up about the experience.
“THE fight with Tyson in 1996 was the most satisfying night of my career,” Holyfield reflected. “Because I had ever done was built up to that moment. Whatever I achieved it was always being compared to Mike Tyson.”
Evander Holyfield also said there is one person in everyone’s life whom they have to pass to pass the test. And Mike Tyson was the guy who everyone put before him.
“So when I beat him, it gave me a lot of peace,” Holyfield noted. Further speaking about Tyson’s impact on his life, Holyfield described him as a bully.
“I realized that a person like Tyson was like a bully, and all my life, me and bullies didn’t get along well,” he continued. “I realized that they can only from people who they feel they can take advantage of.”
“I’m not taking anything away from his ability, but I realized that I could take his shots, but could he take mine? But bullies don’t like people to fight back, they just like people to get out of the way.”