Is there a fighter from the early 2000s you would back to beat a prime Holyfield?

Bc Roy was great and Holyfield was easy to hit, not really a one shot power guy.

 

I’m not sure Toney beats Qawi at cruiserweight …that’s a 50/50 fight…but I get your point…yes I agree

 

I normally look askance at sparring stories, but aren't some of these sessions on film? I think there was film.

 

No.

 

Yes. Fairly even off memory. That guy who Tua trounced, Gary Bell, was the king of sparring w Holyfield though so make what you want of it.

 

"Fairly even" probably gets Holyfield the win. Bigger draw, probably holding the title, etc.

 

Tua was lazy in official fights though so probably even worse in sparring. That’s why I brought up Gary Bell.

 

Well there is actually footage of their sparring, and in the 9 minute clip I see. Tua held his own just fine against Holyfield. But sparring is sparring as you know and it's hard to gauge from that.

It also depends what version of Holyfield were talking about, because the early 90s version of Holyfield. Would often get himself in wars against lesser opposition.

For example had Tua been in there when Cooper had him hurt or Stewart, Tua may of finished the job.

I feel like the Holyfield who fought Tyson, was a smarter fighter than the early 90s Holyfield. But Holyfield was more in his physical prime in early 90s, but in a way he could be more vulnerable aswell so it's a double edged sword.

Holyfield would be the favourite obviously, but Tua would present a dangerous challenge.

 

No one. and in fact I don't think there's a HW in history who beats the Holyfield of the Douglas fight.

 

I always fanced this guy

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And Holy wasn´t great? Roy Jones beat one fellow at HW....
Quick young Holyfield would beat the **** outta him really.

 

It’s on film.

 

Yes, that’s exactly what I said. I said Holyfield wasn’t great in that post. Totally what I said.

 

Certainly great enough to put him over a 168/175 "HW fighter" with a run of 1-0.

 

I remember reading that. Would have been a great pro fight between the two.