If Holyfield had beaten Bowe and defended the undisputed heavyweight championship against Lewis in 1993, who wins?
A double question for everyone here, what was the main difference between a 93' Holy and a 99' Holy fighting Lewis? What main assets did he lose/fade during the time that could've put Lennox is a tough spot?
Holyfield would have gotten a close decision win back then. Lewis still raw. Very good, good enough to beat Mason, Ruddock and Tucker, but Holy the much more experienced at that time. Holyfield wins but he knows he's in a fight. Lewis goes away to rebuild, Holyfield to fight Moorer.
Holyfield i think would beat Lewis in 93. Lennox's raw power and ability would have made it awkward but he was also very flawed and his camps where far from world class. His best chance would have been via his power and catching Holyfield but that wouldn't be overly likely.
Tough one to call. Lennox wouldn't be as cautious in '93 and neither would Holyfield. And Holy has the fight or 2 fights with Bowe so that experience is obviously helpful. The late 90's Holyfield was far more patient and calculating which was something he gained from big fight heavyweight experience. So Holy in '93 was really the prototype for the latter success. So I pick Holyfield, 51/49. Barely.
Holyfield wasn't as patient in 93 as he was later, I agree, Lewis has the power to hurt Holy and stop him
