Prime Ali whups Holy's ass VERY EASILY! Holy was given trouble by a washed up Holmes. No way in Hell is he finding any success against the late 60's Ali.
While I agree that Holy would be a tough fight for Ali, I also feel that Ali would probably win. Ali of '67-'70 would have too much hand and foot speed for Evander. Holy did a good job fighting the slower behemoths of the 90's but late 60's Ali would be another ball of wax. Ali by decision in a good fight.
Sorry heavy hands...What I meant was that version of Ali would be too much for Holy. Those years probably would've been Ali's peak years but we never got to see him at his peak because of the forced exile imposed upon him by the government. Holyfield would've had a better chance against the Ali of the mid 70's....But I'd still lean toward Ali.
Holyfield would lose to Ali, as much as I respect both fighters. I envision Muhmmad Ali being way too quick for Holyfield to try to exchange with, as well as being just as big and just as much heart. Ali would shut Evander down with the 1-2 before Holyfield could connect with his combination punching. Ali would also be too quick for Evander to land his counterpunches as prime Ali had great head movement...and even if they did land Ali has an even BETTER chin then Holyfield. Ali would retaliate with rapier-like straights until Holyfield's eyes close completely shut, leading to a late-round stoppage.
Ali would just plain outspeed Holy. One sided thrashing with the ref stopping the fight after 13 rounds due to cuts and or swollen eyes.
yes 68-69 would have been the peak version of ali, at 26-27 , actually in 1967 i think that he did reach part of his peak too
I think it would be a great fight. Ali was quicker in the late 60's but he was stronger and smarter in the early-mid 70's. Also, in the 70's he came less than 100% a few times. Both at their very best. Holyfield vs. Qawi II (CW best, showed improvement), Holyfield vs. Foreman (bigger, more complete), Bowe II (smarter but just a tad slower), Tyson I (bigger and stronger but lower workrate and less quickness). A combination of all of this. Ali vs. Folley (Ali looked flawless vs. the very good but small HW), Ali vs. Frazier I (very good performance vs. the best fighter he faced up to that point, still a little rusty and came up short), Ali vs. Foreman (bigger, stronger, and smarter; very determined but slower), Ali vs. Frazier III (tougher than ever but past prime). A combination of all of this. Ali is a little taller with a slightly longer reach. The weight is close but Holyfield is the stronger man with the more explosive power. Both men are very durable with great chins and stamina. Holyfield has good footwork and speed but Ali has better footwork and more speed. Ali has the better jab and is harder to hit. Holyfield gives Ali plenty of problems with a lot of pressure and a good workrate to the body and head with hard hooks, uppercuts, and straight right hands at close range. I see Ali winning a very close decision over 12 or 15 rounds... may even be a split-decision.
ali 74 was probably stronger than 64 cassius clay(not even sure about that) but 74 ali was not stronger than a 67 ali, it is a joke. ali 67 was better than 70s ali in every department. ali had great functional physical strength , he could handle foreman in the clinch, i doubt that evander was stronger than ali.
Ali by decision 10-5. Holyfield would have his moments but Ali`s jab would be a huge problems for Evander. Ali`s rightcross and occasional right lead would have a field day IMO. Holyfield didnt have the defense of Norton or the ability to cut the ring off the way Joe Frazier did. Evander would have to try to outguess the fastest heavyweight of alltime. Not a good formula for success.