Moorer's journey to the top of boxing started in Brooklyn, but he grew up in Pittsburgh. After a solid amateur run, he turned pro in 1988 and quickly made a name for himself. He grabbed the first WBO world light heavyweight title that same year and held onto it for two years, stopping all nine challengers who came his way.
The southpaw then moved up to heavyweight and made history. He became the first left-handed heavyweight champ when he beat Bert Cooper for the WBO belt. But his biggest win came in 1994 when he outpointed Evander Holyfield in a close fight to become the unified heavyweight champion.
Moorer's reign at the top was short-lived. Later that year, he ran into a 45-year-old George Foreman. Despite being ahead on the scorecards, Moorer got caught with a big right hand in the tenth round and couldn't beat the count. Foreman became the oldest heavyweight champ ever at 45 years and 360 days old.
Two years later, Moorer won the IBF heavyweight belt from Axel Schulz in Germany and defended it twice. But when he met Holyfield again in 1996, things didn't go his way. Holyfield stopped him in the eighth round after knocking him down five times.
When asked about his toughest opponent, Moorer didn't hesitate. He told The Ring Magazine:
"I feel that Evander was the best that I faced, because he was always at his peak. When you are at your peak, you are always ready for everything and anything that is put before you. Evander always came ready."
Moorer added:
"I feel that he would have to be the best one that I fought, because he would always get himself in the best shape possible for any fight. He was always that guy. If he did not beat you the first time, he would beat you the second time."
Holyfield's career backed up Moorer's words. He fought a who's who of boxing, including Riddick Bowe, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, James Toney, and George Foreman. He kept fighting until 2011, showing the kind of dedication Moorer talked about.
Moorer's praise for Holyfield speaks volumes, especially considering the other big names he faced in his career. It's a testament to Holyfield's consistency and readiness that made him stand out in Moorer's mind as the best he ever faced in the ring.