Evander Holyfield is one of the most underated fighters of all time

[bodhi]

Originally Posted by jaffay

He sure is. But his inconsistency hurts him. He could be marvelous like against Foreman, Bowe or Tyson but also can be average like against Moorer. It's a shame that he was robbed in Germany against Valuev. Maybe he wasn't most deserving heavy to have a belt at that time, but it would be a beatiful end of his career.

He was not robbed against Valuev. That was a close fight in which the hometown fighter and champ got the benefit of the doubt. That's no robbery.

Having said that. I don't think he is underated. I have him between 8 and 11 at hw, alongside Frazier, Foreman and Liston, and he would certainly be at number one at cw. Pretty fair imo.

[MrMarvel]

He has a terrific resume, some great wins, was a tough competitor, and would be successful in most heavyweight divisions of the past. I think he is a great heavyweight. He's top 10 for me. I think the initial post that started this thread is on the money. Put that way you can't help but be impressed.

[mike_bngs]

Holyfield should of quit 5 years ago, he isnt doing his legacy any good and may end up being hurt!

[Flea Man]

Nothing he does now will hurt his legacy, but I'd hate to see him hurt. He's one of my favourite fighters.

I have him top 40 on my ATG p4p list. That's a fair ranking IMO, and just.

[Genesis]

He should have quit after the Lewis fight, but why on earth does he still get title shots at 46? How many title shots has he had since losing to Lewis at 37?

[he grant]

Who ranks him low ? He was a mid (7 or top ten all time heavyweight ... along with Ali he fought the best heavyweight competition that ever lived.

[Briscoe]

I can't agree and say he's underrated. He's not. We're all aware of his exploits in the ring, and we're aware of his struggles at the end. His inconsistency is his main fault and it's what places him among the Jersey Joe Walcotts of the world (not a bad place to be). He'll be remembered for quite some time for his warrior spirit in the ring.

[lefthook31]

Originally Posted by ramalinga

Overrated at HW. He was the greatest cruiser and had legendary heart and that quality makes people overrate fighters. He was never dominant like Lennox Lewis, rarely stopped opponenst who were in shape. Lost 4 out of 5 against Bowe and Lewis. Good wins but inconsistent and not dominant against elite opponents.

THis is a pretty shitty post. If he had Lennox Lewis comp he would have dominated the same. Likewise if Lewis had Holy's he may have been a commentator by the mid 90's.

[Unforgiven]

I would rate him above Tyson and Lewis personally.

[lefthook31]

Originally Posted by Unforgiven

I would rate him above Tyson and Lewis personally.

me too

[mochabuzz]

Never have i seen a more motivated fighter than holyfield... He had an amazing desire to win. He accomplished alot for a guy who didn't have a huge punch at heavyweight. IMO he is top 10 all time HW & the best Cruiserweight of all time.

[North Star]

I don't think Holyfield is an underated heavyweight but perhaps some people do not always realize how remarkable his accomplishments are for someone with the tools he had to work with. In public Holyfield is a rather quiet person and not controversial and I think that has something to do with him being a bit of an overlooked heavyweight.

The first time Holyfield beat Tyson was fascinating. I was amazed how often Holyfield narrowly managed to keep Tyson's blows from landing hard enough to cause serious trouble. Holyfield again and again in that fight kept himself in the slightly wrong place from Tyson's point of view, but Holyfield still had to be in great shape, smart, clever and very determined to survive so many slightly off target punches from the hard hitting Tyson.

[ramalinga]

Originally Posted by sugarsean

Yeah but he was outweighed by about 30 Pds in them fights and he was 36 & 37 in the two Lewis fights and had, had many wars.

not discrediting Lewis's wins but I feel like that have only seen them fights act like that was a peak Holyfield when it was'nt he's a better fighter than the Lewis fights show.

Holyfield didn't have one rpime and then a decline, he was going up and down. The Holyfield from the 2nd Lewis fight certainly looked a lot shaprer that the one who struggled with tiny Bobby Chyz. When he beat Tyson, he looked a lot better than when he lost to Moorer.

I don't see him beating Lewis, ever. Lewis was never outpointed and Holyfield didn't have the punch to KO him.

[ramalinga]

Originally Posted by lefthook31

THis is a pretty shitty post. If he had Lennox Lewis comp he would have dominated the same. Likewise if Lewis had Holy's he may have been a commentator by the mid 90's.

I disagree Holyfield had an easy title win with a fat, unfocused Douglas who was a shell of the man who beat Tyson. He fought with tremendous heart against Bowe and Moorer but lost to them when they were in shape. Lewis would have dominanted Moorer and already KO'd Bowe with headgear in the Olympics and we ll know how eager Bowe was to avoid Lewis. Holyfield struggles with the ancient versions of Holmes and Foreman, who would have been beaten up badly by Lewis. I also don't see Holyfield blow out Ruddock or Golota or KO Bruno. Holyfield had a hard time with Bobby Chyz who wouldn't have touched Lewis.

Lewis had his two dramatic KO losses and that wouldn't have happened to Holyfield because of his rion chin. But over their respective careers, Lewis handled quality opposition in much more dominant fashion than Holyfield.

[lefthook31]

Originally Posted by ramalinga

I disagree Holyfield had an easy title win with a fat, unfocused Douglas who was a shell of the man who beat Tyson. He fought with tremendous heart against Bowe and Moorer but lost to them when they were in shape. Lewis would have dominanted Moorer and already KO'd Bowe with headgear in the Olympics and we ll know how eager Bowe was to avoid Lewis. Holyfield struggles with the ancient versions of Holmes and Foreman, who would have been beaten up badly by Lewis. I also don't see Holyfield blow out Ruddock or Golota or KO Bruno. Holyfield had a hard time with Bobby Chyz who wouldn't have touched Lewis.

Lewis had his two dramatic KO losses and that wouldn't have happened to Holyfield because of his rion chin. But over their respective careers, Lewis handled quality opposition in much more dominant fashion than Holyfield.

Your post is full of would of's and should of's. Bowe didnt get knocked out with headgear on. The fight was stopped (prematurely in my opinion). You can watch it for yourself on youtube. You cant say how Lewis would have done against "ancient versions of Holmes and Foreman" because he never fought them. One thing is clear, he was knocked out by two fighters who werent even in the category of ancient Holmes and Foreman. He struggled with Ray Mercer, who lost to "ancient Holmes" as well. Your idea of dominating quality opposition is vastly different than mine.