When would've been a good time for Evander Holyfield to retire?

After Tyson 2.

Goes out on top as the vanquisher of Tyson and a three time heavyweight champion. Also with sympathy on top for his ear.

 

After the Lewis rematch or the first John Ruiz fight.

 

After the second Moorer fight, he's got a 26-10 record at HW due to staying that long, that's worse than Chisora .

 

7 of those losses came at age 37 or older. Chisora has lost every single time he’s fought an elite level opponent. Chisora would have around 20-25 KO losses if he fought Holyfield’s opposition.

 

My point is that he shouldn't have fought this long , survived hits from killers like Bowe, Lewis , Foreman etc. only to get knocked out by a blown up MW in Toney , not to say that Toney wasn't talented but some of his late losses were totally unnecessary.

 

Holyfield should have retired after his loss and subsequent draw with John Ruiz. Actually, if Holyfield felt he trained his hardest for the fight he should have retired after the loss. If he took Ruiz for granted in that fight then he should have retired after the draw.

Ruiz is a fighter Holyfield would have handled easily during anything close to his prime. He should have known then that it was time to stop.

 

If Holyfield retires after Moorer 2 he’s pretty much remembered as a top 5 ATG

People forget that Holyfield was getting on for being 6-7 years past his absolute best when he fought Lewis and was still ultra competitive. He was 16 years past prime when he should of got the decision over Valuev (looking more convincing than prime Haye).

 

After the Lewis fights
No shame losing to the best of his era and being competitive in the rematch

 

After Tyson 2 no doubt.

 

After the rematch to Lennox (which was really 2 losses in a row to Lennox)

 

26-10 at a much higher level on average than Chisora though.

 

After the 1st Ruiz fight

 

After Lewis 2 or Ruiz 1. If he retired after Moorer 2 there would always be accusations he ducked Lewis.

 

1994