Statue of Evander Holyfield facts for kids
| Location | State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
|---|---|
| Designer | Brian Hanlon |
| Material | Bronze |
| Height | 9 feet (2.7 m) |
| Dedicated to | Evander Holyfield |
The Evander Holyfield statue is a big sculpture of the famous boxer Evander Holyfield. You can find it in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. A sculptor named Brian Hanlon created it. The statue was shown to the public on June 25, 2021, outside the State Farm Arena.
Contents
The Idea for the Statue
How the Statue Was Planned
The idea for a statue of Evander Holyfield was first shared on November 27, 2017. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed made the announcement. He said the statue would be 9 feet (2.7 meters) tall. It would be made of bronze.
The mayor wanted the statue to remind people of Holyfield's amazing work in boxing. It would also show Atlanta's history of great athletes. Mayor Reed called Holyfield one of the city's "most accomplished residents."
Who Is Evander Holyfield?
Evander Holyfield grew up in Atlanta. He started boxing when he was young. He became a very successful professional boxer.
He won a bronze medal in boxing at the 1984 Summer Olympics. In 2017, he was chosen for the International Boxing Hall of Fame. This is a special honor for boxers.
Where It Was Supposed to Go
The city planned to put the statue in Downtown Atlanta. It was meant to be in front of the Flatiron Building. The city spent money on public art, and this statue was part of that plan. They expected the statue to be ready by early 2018.
Delays and New Location
Why the Statue Was Delayed
Even though it was planned for 2018, the statue was not put up. By April 2019, people noticed it was still missing. The sculptor, Brian Hanlon, said the city government was holding the statue.
A representative for the new Atlanta Mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms, said they would look into the issue.
Finding a New Home
In November 2019, it was announced that the statue would not go downtown. Instead, the city worked with local groups. They wanted to find a new spot for it in Southwest Atlanta.
Finally, in early 2021, a good spot was found. Atlanta Hawks CEO Steve Koonin offered a place. It was in front of the State Farm Arena. This was a special place because Holyfield had fought there three times when it was called the Omni Coliseum.
The Unveiling Day
The statue was finally shown to the public on June 25, 2021. There was a special ceremony. Local leaders and Evander Holyfield himself were there.
