HOLYFIELD, EVANDER & PERNELL WHITAKER & MELDRICK TAYLOR PRO DEBUT OFFICIAL PROGRAM (1984)

HISTORY: On November 15, 1984 at Madison Square Garden in New York 1984 Olympians Evander Holyfield, Pernell Whitaker and Meldrick Taylor made their professional debuts. Holyfield won a unanimous 6 round decision over Lionel Byarm. Pernell Whitaker stopped Farrain Comeaux in the 2nd round. Meldrick Taylor stopped Luke Lecce in the first round. Billed as "Night of Gold," the card featured the professional debuts of 1984 United States Olympic boxing medalists Holyfield, Tyrell Biggs, Mark Breland, Virgil Hill, Meldrick Taylor, and Pernell Whitaker. Breland's purse was $100,000, while the other Olympians made about $75,000 each. The card was televised live in prime time on ABC. There was an estimated crowd of 18,000 at Madison Square Garden. The Associated Press reported: "Holyfield, of Atlanta, scored at will with head punches in pounding out his unanimous decision over tough Lionel Byarm of Philadelphia. Byarm, 177½, now 9-2-2 as a pro, was able to score some body punches, but Holyfield was just too quick and punched too sharply. Holyfield, 177½, shook Byarm on several occasions and had him in trouble in the fifth round." Offered here is an original, official program for this event.

FULL DESCRIPTION: This is an original, official program which pictures the fighters on the cover. 22 pages complete plus covers. Not scored. Tight binding. Not creased or torn. Clean inside and out. 8 1/2" x 11."