What's the highest we can reasonably rank Evander Holyfield at heavywieght?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mr. magoo, Jun 27, 2014.

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  1. Kokid83

    Kokid83 Member Full Member

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    :good right on..
     
    Kokid83, Aug 17, 2015
    #106
  2. andrewa1

    andrewa1 Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Top 12, I have him around 15. Personally, I find him the most overrated HW of all time. He was the third best HW of his era, behind Lewis and behind Tyson. (Sure, he beat a faded Tyson twice, but even assuming he would have beat a prime Tyson, Tyson was the more impressive, transformative overall figure, even if he matched up badly to Holyfield. For the same reason, I rate Holyfield above Bowe, even though Bowe was clearly the superior fighter to Holyfield in individual matchups).

    I don't think its fair to put him above dominant champions who were the best fighters of their era. Its very subjective and unprovable to say their competition was any worse, comparatively, than Holyfields era. All we know is they were able to dominate it in a way people like Holyfield and Frazier weren't able to do.
     
    andrewa1, Aug 17, 2015
    #107
  3. Wass1985

    Wass1985 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    That's the thing, stick him in the same era of Tyson 86-89 and he would have dominated. There's nobody on Tyson's resume who Evander wouldn't have beat IMO. He might not have waxed them all in the style of Tyson but he would have beat others more impressively e.g Smith, Tucker..
     
    Wass1985, Aug 17, 2015
    #108
  4. Sangria

    Sangria You bleed like Mylee Full Member

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    Not necessarily. I think Holyfield struggles with the ones you mentioned above. Look at Holmes and Stewart, both guys got murdered by Tyson yet were hell for a prime Holyfield. I think the size of Bonecrusher and Tucker would pose problems for Holyfield. These guys were powerful too. Bruno would be a tough go for Holy as well.
     
    Sangria, Aug 17, 2015
    #109
  5. FartWristedBum

    FartWristedBum I walk this Earth like a bum Full Member

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    Doesn't everybody know?
    He's #1.........THE HBGOAT!
     
    FartWristedBum, Aug 17, 2015
    #110
  6. Wass1985

    Wass1985 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Holyfield beats them all handily and kicks Tyson's ass for good measure.
     
    Wass1985, Aug 17, 2015
    #111
  7. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He had some great fights, Tyson and Douglas and he had his share of unimpressive fights Ruiz and Bean where he looked less than ordinary and there was the stoppage loss to Toney. HE LOOKED SO -SO BEATING Cyz but his wins over Tyson and Douglas and the Bowe win raise him up. I got him in the lower end of the top 10 right above Larry Holmes
     
    Bummy Davis, Aug 17, 2015
    #112
  8. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    You could rank him 3rd quite comfortably.

    Especially if you're one of the few who scored the LL rematch for him.
     
    lufcrazy, Aug 17, 2015
    #113
  9. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    A great but overrated fighter.
     
    robert ungurean, Aug 17, 2015
    #114
  10. Sangria

    Sangria You bleed like Mylee Full Member

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    :-( Nah
     
    Sangria, Aug 17, 2015
    #115
  11. Wass1985

    Wass1985 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Yep...
     
    Wass1985, Aug 17, 2015
    #116
  12. Sangria

    Sangria You bleed like Mylee Full Member

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    Mmmm...nope :hi:
     
    Sangria, Aug 17, 2015
    #117
  13. Wass1985

    Wass1985 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    You seriously don't believe Evander would beat Tucker and Smith?? :rofl:rofl
     
    Wass1985, Aug 17, 2015
    #118
  14. uncletermite

    uncletermite Boxing Addict banned

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    Holmes at 42/43 went 12 rounds with Holyfield..throw a 6'5 230 pounder at him with better reflexes and harder to land a clean punch on,its a hard sell.Tucker also went the distance with Lewis way out of his prime which clearly indicates hes tough as nails and would be a major headache stylistically for Holyfield at any year..Smith is irrelevant,even 38 year old Holmes was better than him and 38 year old Holmes almost 2 years out of boxing or not takes Holyfield to school.No he doesn't beat everyone Tyson fought in the 80's.:nono

    Had Tyson beat Ruddock in 88 you could've added him in there as well because he arguably at that year was better than Holmes and another big man Holyfield imop loses to.Holyfield at around 220 and not 200 is another story but then that's doing what ifs.
     
    uncletermite, Aug 17, 2015
    #119
  15. Sangria

    Sangria You bleed like Mylee Full Member

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    You should never talk about your mom that way
     
    Sangria, Aug 18, 2015
    #120
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