Whatever Happened to Andrew Golota–The Boxer Who Caused A Riot At Madison Square Garden

Today is the 45th birthday for boxer Andrew Golota.  Boxing fans may remember that name from the mid-1990 and early-2000s.  The former Olympian is best known as the "Foul Pole" for being disqualified twice for low-blowing Riddick Bowe in back-to-back fights.  What happened after the first Bowe/Golota fight on July 11

, 1996, became one of the most infamous moments in sports history.  Bowe supporters--some from his corner--attacked Golota and his seconds, sparking a brawl in Madison Square Garden.  Fans poured into the ring, escalating the situation.  Golota was hit in the head with a walkie-talkie and had to receive stitches because of the blows.  Golota's trainer, Lou Duva, was carried out of the arena on a stretcher.

So what became of Andrew Golota?  The former Olympic bronze-medalist, despite the two DQs, was a contender for the World Heavyweight Championship, going 0-3-1 in world title fights.  He even scored a fight against Mike Tyson until the bout was called off due to Tyson failing a drug test.  His career fizzled after losses to John Ruiz (his last world title fight) and Lamon Brewster.  However, he still fights across the world.  He is scheduled to fight next month in his home country of Poland.  Golota, who was undefeated at the time of his first fight against Bowe, now has a record of 41-8-1.