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Excited Bodybuilding Icon Arnold Schwarzenegger Introduces Boxing Legend Evander Holyfield to His Then-Wife Maria Shriver & Hollywood Rival Sylvester Stallone’s ‘Rocky’ Co-Star in Forgotten Video

Published 11/03/2022, 3:00 PM EDT

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Evander Holyfield, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Dolph Lundgren – the trinity of every 90s kid’s bible of machismo. With the first dominating the heavyweight division, the second being both bodybuilding royalty and Hollywood’s favorite cyborg, and the third giving Rocky Balboa a run for his money. It can be safely said that these three have now become cult icons in their own right. However, it is not often that these iconic faces are spotted in the same place. But, a recently resurfaced video shows just that.

Planet Hollywood is an old-school Hollywood-themed restaurant chain. And they opened their doors to a franchise at the San Antonio Riverwalk in Texas in 1996. It should also be mentioned that Schwarzenegger was one of the main investors and also a promoter of the same.

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There were also many other notable names in attendance, like Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, Michael Jordan, Charlie Sheen, Chuck Norris, etc.

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The now-resurfaced video was shot by Dallas-based director Jim Ruddy for ‘Entertainment Tonight’. It showed the bodybuilding icon rushing to meet Holyfield and exchanging pleasantries. He then introduced Holyfield to his wife, Maria Shriver. And also mentioned to her that the heavyweight boxer has been supporting the endorsement in Atlanta.

Schwarzenegger also introduced him to Rocky Balboa’s arch nemesis Ivan Drago AKA Lundgren. However, in an interesting turn of events, Holyfield mentioned that he had previously met Lundgren during one of Mike Tyson’s fights.

The Planet Hollywood franchise in San Antonio did not have a long run and ended up closing its doors in 2001.

Evander Holyfield faced Mike Tyson that year

The year 1996 was special for Evander Holyfield. As it was the year when, for the first time, he would come face-to-face with his most iconic nemesis, the formidable Mike Tyson.

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The duo faced each other at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Paradise, Nevada on November 9, 1996. Moreover, Tyson was defending his WBA heavyweight title. Holyfield, however, turned out to be the technically superior fighter, winning the bout via a 10th-round TKO.

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This fight went on to pave the way for their infamous rematch.

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WATCH THIS STORY – Not so ‘Iron’ed Stories

What are your thoughts on this meeting of the behemoths? Do share in the comments below.

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Written by:

Joshua Ben Joseph

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Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer for EssentiallySports. He started his career as an editorial cartoonist and holds a BFA degree with a specialization in Animated Filmmaking and Screenwriting from AISFM, Hyderabad. An avid lover of boxing history, Joshua believes his writing extends his lifelong adoration for combat sports.
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Edited by:

Ajinkya Aswale