Lawrence Okolie vs Qawi of Holyfield 1

There's zero evidence that Holyfield, who was schooled by a weak-chinned LHW, had 10 career losses (should have been several more) and was knocked down 10 times, was "levels above Okolie". He would be 3-4 inches shorter than Okolie, at a 5 inch reach disadvantage, could be as much as 30 lbs lighter in the ring during his cruiser days and would be at a big power disadvantage. If Okolie had home and A-side advantage he'd be able to land shots at will from range and smother up close, cruiser Holyfield would have little chance. Qawi would be an absurd mismatch; he was tiny and best at LHW.

 

Holyfield would have made easy work of the Okolie we just saw in the ring. Mid round stoppage.

 

Outside of Britain Okolie loses to both by DQ

 

Seeing as 190 lbs cruiser Holyfield had such a hard time with a 5'5 American blown-up LHW midget, I rather doubt it.

 

Okolie had a hard time with Matty Askin You’re looking at Holyfield’s worst performance. Look at all the great things he achieved and the people he beat who were at a much higher level than Okolie.

 

Qawi and Holyfield are leagues above Okolie and would batter him brutally

 

Qawi would beat the living **** out of Okolie, and stop him in about 8.

 

Okolie had been a pro for 18 months when he fought Matty Askin, who was a 10 year professional veteran, had held his own at championship level and was 6'3 210+ lbs, not 5'5 190 lbs. Also, it may be news to you but fighters can improve over the course of 3.5 years. Okolie is 29, which for a man his size and experience is almost certainly pre-prime these days.

"Look at all the great things he (Holyfield) achieved"

Holyfield is retired after a long career. it's hardly surprising he had more good wins in 60-odd fights than active sub-30 year old pro Okolie has had in 18. But Holyfield had his poor performances against journeymen, had 10 official losses and was dropped 10 times, whereas Okolie is undefeated and has never been dropped as a pro. I also can't ignore that stylistically, he fared poorly against men of Okolie's stature and when he fought Qawi he was a relatively inexperienced 24 year old, 11-0 cruiser, 6'1 and 186 lbs in his first title fight. Okolie is a massive 6'5 cruiser with a 30+ lbs weight advantage over Holyfield, considerably closer to his prime, 18-0 with far more pro experience. Holyfield was lucky he got to fight a midget in his cruiserweight title fight in a relatively weak cruiser era rather than Okolie.