Greatest HW of the last 25 years

I rank Lewis ahead of the rest on that list, but that's based on overall legacy and don't know if he beats prime versions of Tyson and holyfield in a head to head sense.

My reasoning for his rating is that he defeated every man he ever fought at one point or another, had a lot of wins over ranked opposition and was pretty dominant in his later years, prior to losing to Rahman. Ad to that, two olympic medals and I'd say his legacy is pretty hard to top.. But I could see peak versions of Tyson and Holyfield having a good chance of winning against him, just can't say it with any real confidence though.

 

agreed

 

Lewis - dominated the division and has the deepest resume. Beat everyone he faced and has a win over a soon to be top 15 heavyweight in their prime when he was past his best

Holyfield - fought virtually everyone and has a great resume despite not retiring a long long time ago. A warrior that never gave up, despite not having the greatest longevity. Iron mother****ing chin only really lost to bowe in his prime.

Tyson - never showed up in his biggest fights and when he fought any A level heavyweights he didn't look like he belonged in their (Holmes was no more than a B after the long lay off and being way out of prime. Devastating power, H2H boxer and ruled the division for a long time with a pretty decent resume too top it all off. If anything his resume is underrated.

Bowe - much like Tyson he could be considered a H2H beast however, having beat everyone he faced he didn't really fit anyone of much significance apart from Holyfield and was made too look dreadful by Golota who got his ass tapped by Lewis in 1 round. Also the situation where he ducked Lewis showed that he may not have been able to live with the real greats of the division

Wlad - looking past the loses and the questionable chin he has showed great heart and has great power (overrated IMO) has an ok resume however lacks the defining fights.

Vitali - arguably better than wlad but has had to play second best to him throughout his career. H2H would give any heavyweight a run for their money at the very least but in his two biggest fights he lost. Also missed out on what could have been his best years

 

I would have Holyfield #1 of the last 25 years.

But I could see there are reasonable arguments for the others (except Vitali).

 

H2H - not this is comparing between these fingers fighting each other rather than there actual H2H ratings

1. Lewis - beats all of them IMO, however if he where to fight all in a run of fights he would lose at least one

2. Tyson - I think Holy and Lewis beats him but takes out Wlad comfortably by KO. Beats Vitali and Bowe in very close wars

3. tied Vitali - Takes out Wlad and Holyfield but falls short against Tyson and Lewis. Bowe Vs Vitali ends in a draw IMO.

3. tied Bowe - same as Vitali's

5. Holyfield - although iron chinned we saw him lose prime for prime against Bowe and I think Lewis and Vitali have just to much. Beats wlad in a close fight and takes out Tyson in a come from behind victory.

6. Wlad - loses to all IMO but his best chance is against Holyfield

 

Mike Tyson of the 80s was the best HW of the past 25 years, no doubt.

 

It might a case that Tyson was the best in terms of H2H, maybe. But in terms of rating greatness; Quality of opposition, adversity, longevity, etc.........Not even a maybe.

 

Yep, Mike Tyson from the 80´s.
Then Lennox Lewis and Holyfield, the order of those two is hard for me. Think Holyfield to be honest. I was never that impressed by Lennox.
Wlad and Vitali, no way. Champs in a chump era
In my opinion

 

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H2H trumps resume for me - it has to otherwise you've got Patterson ranked higher than Sonny Liston which is silly - so it has to be H2H or nothing and young '85 to '88 Tyson slays everyone else on the list IMO....

After that it probably goes

Lewis
Bowe
Holy
Vit
Vlad

 

If that is the case, then Douglas is higher than Tyson, Jimmy Young higher than Foreman, Barkley than Hearns etc.
My list is
Lewis
Holy
Tyson
Wlad
Bowe
Vitali

 

Just a little footnote/thought:

If you include only fights in the last 25 years, that is really starting to hurt Tyson. Already lost for consideration would be the Frazier and Berbick performances as well as to a lesser degree Smith. In 13/14 months time, it could easily be argued Tyson's prime period was over 25 years ago...

 

Evander Holyfield. Fought everyone,showed great heart,determination and chin always. Has some great wins,won 2 lineal championships and 2 WBA championships.

Last 25 years
1.Evander Holyfield
2.Lennox Lewis
3.Mike Tyson
4.Riddick Bowe
5.Wladimir Klitschko