Prime Evander Holyfield vs Prime Lennox Lewis

Defining heavyweight of the era? I'm sure Lennox would appreciate that imaginary title, but let's discuss facts. He was the last man standing. That's all there is to it. Tyson and Holyfield were undisputed champions and established ATGs before Lennox even turned pro.

And again, while Holy had his fair share of bad performances, so did Lewis.

 

Tyson yes, Holyfield no.

 

Tyson was toast before Lewis really got on the scene. Only youngsters think that Tyson was more than hype and a punch after his prison stay.

Holy was a hit and miss roider. Love the guy but his reach exceeded his grasp.

 

Don't let facts get in the way of a good spiel tho lol

 

So you don't think Holyfields cruiserweight career is ATG worthy? Even though he's unanimously considered the best cruiserweight of all time?

 

Yes if the holyfield of the lewis fights had the body he had 7 or 8 years ago he would win, problem is that "prime" holyfield wouldnt be smart or defensively responsible enough to fight the kind of fight that he would need to to win. Holyfield pre bowe was faster, had more stamina and was more youthful but holyfield post bowe was bigger stronger harder punching smarter and a better defender. I think 95/96 holyfield against prime lewis would be 50/50

 

So you admit it yourself - Lennox being the "defining heavyweight of the era" really isn't relevant since his two main contemporaries, Tyson and Holyfield, had seen better days when he really got into the big leagues around 96.

As for Holyfield - I just can't agree. He had a bad streak in 94-95, but was just in bad shape physically, both for Moorer and Bowe 3. He was in and out of retirement in that period and had documented health issues.

His only other loss prior to Lewis is to Bowe in the first fight - and there's no shame in that. Bowe was a monster that night, unquestionably one of the best heavyweights of all time, and probably better than anyone Lennox fought as well.

On the other hand, Holyfield beat a whole roster of top heavyweights, with a few shaky moments here and there, but mostly convincingly: Bowe, Dokes, Cooper, Holmes, Foreman, Mercer, Moorer, Tyson x2. I don't think it's fair to say he was "hot and cold" at all.

 

Fail. Lennox hit the big leagues for real in 92 when he lit up Ruddock in a way Tyson never could. Holyfield hadnt even had his greatest win yet, beating Bowe.

Health issues that were documented and then re-documented and then denied and misdiagnosed. Let's call a spade a spade. He was juiced to the gills in order to compete with real heavies and it was having effects. He doesn't get a pass on this. He LOST to Moorer. He LOST to an overrated Bowe. He LOST to Lewis. He came within a hair of LOSING to crackhead Cooper.

Holyfield was a wannabe heavy in an era of superheavies. He did well. He used the best that medicine had to offer but applied himself, too. I will never deny his heart. But I he is overrated. He is the Tom Sharkey of his generation.

 

holyfield on points .

 

I lean towards Holyfield on points.

 

Yeah right...and what happened after he lit up Ruddock? He looked completely underwhelming against an old, drugged out Tucker and Bruno...then McCall knocked him into obscurity. His camp refused a fight with Bowe in 96 opting to fight an over the hill Mercer (and he barely got away with a win from that one) because he was still in the re-building process. Then he destroyed Golota and beat McCall in a farce of a rematch leading up to a unification with the then worn out Holyfield.

Calling Lewis the "defining" heavyweight of the era is disingenious. He never established an unequivocal streak of dominance over a longer period of time like Tyson, Holmes, Ali, Louis etc.
He was just kind of there the whole time, played his cards right and happened to be at the right place at the right time. And even then, when he beat Holyfield he became undisputed, he still couldn't help but get knocked out once again by another crackhead....and you want to talk about inconsistency? Please.

 

Not really. Cruiserweight was an incredibly weak division when Holyfield was fighting there. I mean, who did he really beat to make him an atg. Qawi, De Leon, and Tillman? I wouldn't consider that atg worthy resume. Sure I agree Holyfield is the best cruiserweight of all time but come on, he was there for less than his first 20 fights then moved up. I rate him as a heavyweight. Being in the top 10 at heavyweight is better than being the number 1 cruiserweight.

Of course that is just my opinion though.

 

Reading back through this thread, three things are clear to me:
1. Both fighters performed inconsistently (although I'd say Lewis did this more and Holyfield fought to his potential more often)
2. Holyfield v Lewis prime for prime is a pick 'em fight.
3. There really isn't a definitively best heavyweight of that era

 

LOL

He dominated Holyfield in their first bout.