I don't understand why people rate Holyfield as one of the greatest Heavyweights when he lost so many big fights. He faced a lot of good competition, but at the same time he lost more than he won. He was basically the Oscar De La Hoya of Heavyweights. Strong resume of opponents, but questionable in terms of wins. Losses: Riddick Bowe x2 Michael Moorer John Ruiz x2 (a bum fighter) Chris Byrd James Toney (A middleweight) Lennox Lewis Good wins: Riddick Bowe 2 wins over a washed up post-prison Tyson Ray Mercer Hasim Rahman Questionable wins: Barely beats 45 year old George Foreman Barely 42 year old Larry Holmes Holyfield lost more big fights than he won. His track record vs A level fighters is bad (1-4 record vs Lewis and Bowe). He was losing to B rate fighters like John Ruiz and Michael Moorer in his prime. What makes Holyfield a top 10 HW of all-time with just 1 great win on his resume?
I don't think that most people rate him in the top five right now, and I include myself in that number. However he does have some very impressive statistics. Look at the time span over which he was beating world class fighters, and then compare it to pretty much anybody! His resume has an embarrassment of meat on it!
Holyfield beat: Bowe Foreman (past it, but would go on to become the unified champ again) Mercer (former champ) Moorer ( 2 time champion) Tyson (not the version of the 80s, but still a very good Tyson, who many felt looked better than ever and was being heavily favoured to easily stop Holy) Holmes (past it, but a top 10 atg heavy, who had schooled Mercer) Ruiz (Boring fighter, but still accomplished a decent amount. An overachiever I'd say.) Rahman (former champ) Douglas (Fat, but still the Undisputed Champ) Pinklon Thomas (past it, but had only ever twice lost. Former champ) Dokes (past it, but holy was only the second man to beat him. Former champ) He also arguably deserved the decision against Lewis in the rematch. He was the only 4 time heavyweight champion ever. (Also arguably beat Valuev, which would make him the only 5 time champion) He did all this after having come up from cruiser, in an era where super heavies were becoming more common. Also how many great wins does Joe Frazier have? 1 Joe Louis? 2 arguably Lennox Lewis? 1 Larry Holmes? 0. Maybe 1 since he was old against Mercer. Foreman? 1 or maybe 2 because he was old against Moorer. Marciano? 1 arguably Sonny Liston? 1 arguably My point here, is that you could argue that most of the guys that appear in peoples top 10 only have 1 or 2 great wins Also he was past his best against Moorer and definitely past it against Ruiz.
If Evander Holyfield would have retired after the second Lennox Lewis fight ...his place in history would be a lot higher ....or at least the public perception of him
Which is stupid. Is Ray Robinson lesser because he stayed around long enough to lose to guys like Memo Ayon and Stan Harrington, who weren’t even household names in their own household? Holy didn’t lose to absolute ham-and-eggers in his post-prime years.
Well, he did win the title four times, more than anyone in history... He beat an under 30 Mike Tyson when he himself was well past his peak. Bowe's only loss. Had more heart and courage than the majority of the top 20 ATGs. Ali and Joe Frazier-level, for sure.
Losing to Lennox Lewis shouldn't knock him down too far. He gave a good account of himself in the 2nd bout. The Toney and Ruiz fights don't represent Holyfield at or even near his peak. He also didn't "barely beat George Foreman". That's good fast fight but Evander won at least 9-3 or 8-4. He beat Michael Moorer in the rematch. With said I don't have Holyfield in my top 5. I don't know many who do. Some might, he inspired many loyal fans with the way up fought. Went up against bigger, stronger, taller heavyweights and more than held his own.
Who rates Holyfield Top 5? I mean, I'm sure some people do, but based on my observations, the general consensus is that he is not inside the Top 5.
