Evander Holyfield's second heavyweight championship reign had ended after only 5 months following a loss to Michael Moorer in his first defense. Holyfield was hospitalized after the fight and it was determined that he had a previously undetected heart       ailment and was advised to retire immediately, which he would officially announce only four days after the Moorer fight. In June Holyfield attended one of televangelist and "faith healer" Benny Hinn's healing sessions. After being touched by Hinn, Holyfield claimed he felt a "warm feeling" go through his body and afterwards proclaimed he was "healed" of his heart ailment and was ready to resume his boxing career. Holyfield initially failed to get medical clearance after a New York cardiologist determined that his heart ailment had not healed sufficiently enough to allow Holyfield to continue boxing in September. However, two months later, the Mayo Clinic did medically clear Holyfield with a spokesman for the clinic stating that Holyfield was in "excellent health. As the Nevada Athletic Commission had medically suspended Holyfield's boxing license, the five-person committee would have to vote to reinstate Holyfield and in February 1995 the commission would vote 4–1 to lift Holyfield's ban. The following month, Holyfield would announce his comeback bout would be against former WBO heavyweight champion  Ray Mercer.

Heavyweight 200+ Evander Holyfield vs Ray Mercer

Middleweight 160 lb Héctor Camacho vs Homer Gibbins

Heavyweight 200+ David Tua vs Dan Murphy

Welterweight 147 lb Sal Lopez vs Jermal Corbin