Holyfield is a Top 3 HW ATG, you can't even deny this

3 is too high. 5 is as far as I go when it comes to Evander.

 

If Holyfield had been just 20 lb bigger, he'd have done great things. Alas.

 

Not necessarily.

 

You think a bit more size wouldn't have helped him out? :think Given his love of brawling, I'd say that a bit of a larger frame would have evened things up.

 

I've always loved Evander and seeing that he was in his prime from about the time I was 13-18 years old I consider him the champion of my generation. He was always in top shape, fought his heart out, took on the best, and gave boxing fans some historically memorable bouts.. That said, he definitely belongs in the top 10. A carefully constructed and well argued case might even squeak him into a #5 spot. But he can't be top 3. His first title reign was somewhat weak.. He took the crown from a very deconditioned James Douglas and then proceeded to defend it against two 40+ year old ex champs on the comeback trail and Bert Cooper before losing it.. He also got the short end of the Bowe trilogy. I don't hold the Moorer defeat against him so much as Evander had documented health problems and the rematch pretty much confirmed what the REAL Holyfield was capable of doing to Moorer. But never the less he was certainly one of the greatest and most likable champions that we've ever seen and I was privileged to be in MY youth when he was in his..

 

I don't think he had the frame to carry another 20 pounds successfully to be honest..Some of his greatest attributes as a fighter were his workrate, conditioning and speed of both hand and foot...with another 20 pounds on him he'd be a completely different fighter. Even at 215-220 I felt he was a bit too muscle-bound and he looked noticeably slower and less active against Tyson and Lewis..

Holyfields biggest problem was himself, pretty much. He had the ability to beat anyone on the planet including Lewis, with his excellent in-and out movement, combinations, counter-punching and overall boxing skill but he often gave up those advantages to brawl with naturally bigger and stronger guys, hence his losses and mediocre performances.

 

janitor has on numerous occasions proved otherwise. So deserves the benefit of any doubt, unless you can show otherwise...

 

Agreed. And even WITH the aid of performance enhancers he was STILL at a physical disadvantage against some of his larger peers.

 

Good question but Louis longevity comes into play here,surely ?

Muhammad Ali was still prime near enough,albeit a little ring rusty,when Frazier beat him.

 

First, good post. I agree with almost everything you said.

Second, you are misunderstanding me. What I meant was if his actual overall dimensions were increased in proportion by 20lb, it would have helped. I agree that more muscle on his already muscular frame would have been a liability. Super-muscled guys have a tendency to gas, and gas quickly.

This content is protected

 

Number one cold hard lock of the century. Greatest ever. Heavyweight. Punch. Power.

Next thread.

 

A new troll?

Or just an old one.

 

I deny it. Holyfield was the best heavyweight in the world only very briefly. In his first reign he decided to defend against seniors like Foreman and Holmes, and then a journeyman in Cooper. He went a full two years without fighting a top contender, when he finally did, Bowe beat his ass. Bowe also outscored him in the rematch by a lot, but lost a decision. Evander was never the top heavy again....it was always Bowe or Lewis. I don't see how he's in anybody's top 3.