I think Holyfield can out fight him in a war. The last incarnation of Evander Holyfield that I believe could turn the trick against him.
Holy UD.. Evander was a better boxer , and technician was more experienced, and faced and beat way more talent... The only SLIGHT advantage Ike has was power, but Holy had a great chin and wasn't going anywhere :yep They would have eventually fought but that dumbsh!t Ike went bat**** crazy..:nut, Damn Lunatic..
Tua's heavy artillery was largely the biggest cause of his insanity. Nonody's fault, but I would have some sympathy. I do not know that Ike would win, but it is untrue that power was his only advantage. He was naturally bigger, stronger & heavier. Through much weightlifting & PEDs Holyfield reached similar UPPER body strength. Ike had a higher workrate that night than...any HW ever I believe. There are cases where a man reaches The Heights but cannot maintain it. Ike's combination of boxing & slugging was excellent. Holyfield would maybe win a close fight.
Holyfield was some way past his best but probably has enough to beat Ibeabuchi. Too much skill and experience.
Do you not think Ike could replicate what Bowe did in 95? Ike hit hard, but more importantly, like Bowe, he had a great work rate, something which would trouble the older man, something Tyson didn't have in 96.
bowe was a lot bigger than ike (height,reach) and had a way better jab.ike is about holyfield size in terms of height and reach. this is an important fact
No, Bowe had the benefit of 24 championship rounds experience (plus sparring) with Holyfield going into that fight. Ibeabuchi wasn't ready. He barely got past Tua, and in hindsight especially he didn't really box smart against the very 'out-boxable' Tua. That's my take anyway.
I would have to go with Evander only because Ike's only to fights were against Byrd who could not really punch or hold Ike off and Tua who could be out-boxed and out sped. There is no indication that Ike could beat a puncher with skills
The way i see it is, you've got a young hungry, relentless, aggressive, guy with a high work rate vs a guy whose got some health issues, is fighting at a slower pace and struggled previously with another aggressive fighter with a high workrate. I dont think experience would help Holyfield too much here, all the clinching etc he got away with vs the smaller Tyson.