Larry Holmes vs Evander Holyfield ATG Who ranks higher

You criticize Holmes for having tough fights against lesser opposition, but Holyfield was almost knocked out by journeyman Bert Cooper, and had another really tough fight vs Alex Stewart. Aswell as having trouble against two fighters in there 40's Foreman, Holmes.

I agree Holyfield fought better opposition than Holmes, but how many of them did he actually win ? outside of beating Mike Tyson, lost trilogy to Bowe, lost to Lewis, i mean Holyfield certainly deserves props to facing alot of dangerous opponents. But when your actually rating him the wins are the only thing that counts.

And whilst being a 4 world champion sounds impressive, lets be honest all that tells me is how up and down Holyfield's career was at Heavyweight. One of them was regaining the world title vs John Ruiz which is not exactly a stellar achievement in all honesty.

 

I used to say Larry 100% of the time, nowadays I think of them as tied at 3. However, that usually takes into account Holyfield's cruiserweight career. So as heavyweights, Holmes. But in terms of overall greatness, Holyfield.

 

I'm going against the grain here and rating Evander higher than Larry.

 

Yes. That certainly is a big part of it. Holyfield's resume is insane! He's in the conversation, with Ali and Louis, on resumes.

 

Tyson Steamrolled Holmes, Holyfield beat Tyson twice, old as dirt Holmes gave prime Holyfield pure hell.
Styles and being in fighting condition (Holmes was in fighting shape when he faced Holyfield,or at least the very best shape he could be in for his age, he wasn't close to fighting shape when he jumped in the ring for Tyson , rushed into the fight for that hugh paycheck)
Holmes was much sharper skill wise, and had learned what he could and could not do by the time he fought Holyfield. Tyson? Simply a money grab. He basically has said that .

 

They both lost in upsets to former LHW champions. Holyfield avenged that loss. Nobody on this board seems to think Joe Louis is "stained" for Schmeling 1 or Lewis for Rachman. To be fair I think Larry beat Spinks in the rematch but not as definitively as Holyfield over Moorer.

 

And let’s not forget the Larry that got steamrolled by Tyson didn’t have time to train etc….. I think Larry from 1980ish takes that version of Tyson! And I also wonder how old Larry against Holyfield does against that version of Tyson???? My point is if Larry would have had the opportunity to train etc….. the fight with Tyson is more competitive!!!!
Not saying he wins but more competitive! Prime Larry takes it.
And I wonder how Mr. Roid Man Holyfield does against that version of Tyson? I think Holy gets his ass knocked out!

 

Imagine Hagler on steroids!

 

ATG I think Evander does better b/c his competition was more demanding

it's just that Evander didnt do that well and falls outside the top 10 heavyweights

 

See him against James Toney ? I think the 1987 Tyson crushes that guy like an egg ...

 

Larry is #3 ATG, Holyfield #4. It's not an easy call for me...Holy at his best was unbelievable. Sometimes I wonder if he ever looked better than he did against Bowe I.

 

I'd have Holmes ahead resume wise. Holyfield faced far tougher guys at the top end but he also lost series against two of them.

Holyfield's resume can get underrated tho. The only fights he lost in 9 years was a trilogy to Bowe and Moorer. That's a helluva streak and tho Moorer is a stain what the hell was going on with Holyfield's health that night? Bowe is a tough out for anyone. I do have Holmes ahead even if there are some glaring weaknesses at the back end of his reign. I certainly wouldn't insult anyone easing with Holyfield tho.

Holyfield would be better than anyone Larry ever beat. I'd take Holmes H2H but it wouldn't exactly surprise me if Holyfield took one in a grueling type of fight.

 

holyfield may have fought everyone but he wasn’t always winning

he beat a fat unmotivated heavyweight to win the championship

he had close fights with two 42 year old men that make you think Holyfield stood little chance when they were 25 years old

he nearly was knocked out by a double suv journeyman bert Cooper

lost a trilogy to Bowe and some people think he lost all 3

lost his crown to one of the worst champions ever moorer

fought a post prison Tyson


Went 0-2 Vs Lewis in most peoples eyes

Despite being older Could only split a trilogy with the very unimpressive John Ruiz

No consistency!!!

 

THIS

I recognize how good Holyfield was as a fighter, but his blatant use of roids puts a BIG QUESTION MARK on his resume.

Now, I wouldn't be surprised if Larry or anybody else were also using some kind of juice by then; but we don't know per sure and they get the benefit of doubt while Evander was simply too egregious a case.

So, for me Holyfield is always a step below the other ATG HW