I think one can match them as they were (specifying the circumstances in which they would meet). I also think that, more speculatively but not non-sensically, one can ask, e.g., how prime Louis would have done if Holyfield had come along in his day and developed in ****ogy to how he (EvHo) had developed in his own day -- in other words, Holyfield developing, according to the opportunities of developing in Louis's day, in proportion to how he (EvHo) developed in his own day.
Random trivia: Most of Louis' (few) decent opponents saw round 8 and Holyfield was never stopped before round 8.
Irrelevant. They don't and won't make a hwt as great as Louis ever. At his best he was pretty much unstoppable. Nothing he could not do.
But why would anyone do the latter? These arguments are about the fighters that actually existed, not the hypothetical versions. Talking about fantasy fights is already a stretch; talking about fantasy fights between fantasy fighters is a bridge too far.
I don't think "irrelevant" means what you think it means. The facts I stated are indisputably relevant to the question of whether Holyfield makes it to Round 8 against Joe Louis.
Joe Louis KO 13 Holyfield loved to trade. You can't do that with the greatest puncher of all time. Holyfield does not see round 15. Louis finishes off a battered Holyfield in round 13. Holyfield is game, but he does not have the artillery or offense to match Louis in toe to toe exchanges. Louis faster sharper harder combinations will tear Holyfield to shreds. Louis is in a different class than Holyfield really. A higher class. Louis might be the best fighter of all time
Don't you mean he might be the best Heavy of all time? Because I'm sure Louis thought that Robinson was the best fighter of all time, as did Ali.
holyfield left hook is very underrated. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dL3_dN5ry4 holyfield segement starts at 3:55 surely joe would have to respect that.
Holyfield IMO is severely underated in these sorts of bouts. He doesnt do any one thing exceptionally but does everything very well. In his HW career he was invariably the smaller less powerful man and often significantly so, however not in this case. What he does though is have an incredible toughness and despite occasionally getting into brawls, was superb at exploiting an opponents weaknesses. I can see him rattling his right against Joes jaw consistently, I can see him catching Joes jab and countering and keeping him out of rhythm, I can see him clinching and turning Joe and forcing him to reset. Conventional wisdom says Louis, but Holy is very live
Joe hurts him to the body. Bad. Then those big un-telegraphed hard punches and combos of Louis would do the job. And Evander would not take any chances after being hurt and would just try that counter left hook every once in a while thing he went to. I think it's like the first Lewis fight and Evander does not win rounds and he does not take chances because he knows how dangerous that is to do. Ultimately, he gets stopped late and takes a terrible beating in there.
I agree Holy trades one time to many and gets dropped in the late rounds. Joe being a great finisher does the business. Joe capitalises on Holy's defensive lapses. Holy did have many inconsistent performances as a heavyweight.
t is the evidence that MOST sliggers in any era used PEDs? Even if it was true, Holyfield can have the advantage of all training advantages & working out with 8 X Mr. Olympia Lee haney, but NOT PEDs if we want a fair comparison of what someone can do naturally AND legally. With PEDs especially it would be a donnybrook for sure. I would slightly favor Louis then. His power & accurate combinations & Holyfield slugging but absent ATG power would lead-with his chin, to an exhausting decision... In favor of Louis.
Great fight. Holyfield is just a little taller (1/2") with a slightly longer reach (1.5") and a little heavier. Louis was 197-207.5 Lbs. during the first 5 years of his HW World Title reign. Holyfield was 208 when he won the HW World Title and 3 years later he weighed 217 Lbs. when he regained the HW World Title from R. Bowe. At 217 Holyfield was rock solid, at 207.5 Louis was just a tad soft. Holyfield had better footwork, was stronger (IMO), and was more durable. Louis made better use of the jab. They both had quick hands, were accurate punchers, and had good power (most will say Louis had more power but I think it was close). I think Holyfield would be able to take Louis' punches better than Louis would be able to take Holyfield's punches. With that said, I think Holyfield would win a close hard fought fight by 12 or 15 round decision.