Holyfield went 1-3 against southpaws (1-1 with Moorer, lost badly to self-described "blown-up SMW" Byrd and Sultan, albeit the last two in his 40's). In fairness though Holyfield was the first heavyweight to fight a few good southpaws. He can't be accused of avoiding them.
Perhaps because a good while ago boxing was largely an American sport contested largely in America. Home advantage does exist in sport and A-side advantage is massive, often determining the outcome of the fight. Many champions refuse to travel because it's much riskier. Look what happened to Joshua the first (and thus far, last) time he fought in an opponent's backyard. I don't blame Holyfield for fighting in an opponent's backyard in just 3 of his fights right at the end of his career but Usyk should get credit for doing it religiously because it's harder to win on the road, as a rule.
"A 40+ semi retired Wladimir damn near finished Joshua" Joshua had 44 pro rounds experience and had never been past the 7th, against Wlad's 358 rounds and 12 round distance eight times. At the same point in Lewis's career he hadn't fought Gary Mason yet. Lewis was still 12 fights removed from being blown out in 2 with one shot by a 24-5 crackhead. "Joshua got pummeled by a fat Ruiz and you favour him over Tyson" Didn't Tyson also get pummelled by a 42/1 underdog? And Holyfield didn't fight active undefeated Tyson; he fought the post-Douglas, post-four years in prison, hadn't been past 3 rounds in over 5 years Tyson, who Holyfield had been seething and obsessing over for a decade. Joshua is 6'6, 245 lbs, athletic and a former star amateur with big power, not a 6'2, 235 lbs gatekeeper with little to no amateur record and either a drug habit or 8 years total boxing experience. That's not to say he would beat Lewis on average but those lesser lights did go 1-1. The guys who made it past 6 rounds on Bowe's pre-retirement 41 fight record: Eddie Gonzales, Pinklon Thomas, Tyrell Biggs, Tony Tubbs, Pierre Coetzer, Larry Donald, Evander Holyfield x3, Andrew Golota x2. Inside 6 exactly would make Joshua as unthreatening/vulnerable as Herbie Hide and Jorge Luis Gonzales. I'm not even certain Bowe would have the stones to fight Joshua: the only time there was a prospect of him fighting a champion of similar physical dimensions to Joshua, athletic and a big puncher, Bowe threw his belt in the trash. I don't think anyone is saying that Usyk's heavyweight record in terms of beating a lot of highly ranked opponents is the best ever. But he's already right up there H2H with his clear wins as the B-side over Joshua along with everything else. He's the best cruiser and best southpaw heavyweight ever with top tier skills, athleticism, experience, mentality, iron chin. Southpaw heavies barely existed prior to the 90's, they started taking big scalps soon after (Holyfield, Vitali, Wlad) and Tyson, Bowe and Lewis never fought any. Holmes got KO'd x2 by a future journeyman southpaw in the amateurs. So it's a huge stretch to assume that Usyk wouldn't be a nightmare for all of them. He's in a different dimension to any of the southpaws they faced (assuming they faced any at all).
Usyk also fought at middleweight in the amateurs, and as previously mentioned amateur heavyweight has a limit of ~200 lbs. You have a point with wsb but take a look at how much smaller Usyk was versus those heavyweights. Again, they're similar dimensions, Holyfield an inch shorter an a couple lbs lighter. For the record, I am not saying Usyk is greater than Holyfield. Just that they can be compared. It's two cruisers who moved up. I am also not saying he would be out of place in other eras, cruiserweights are big people. True, glad this one hasn't turned into some insult slinging nonsense like so many on here do. Thank you for that.
No problem buddy I'm not into insulting people or name calling, if you have different view that's fair enough aslong as you put forth a good case I can agree to disagree. I'll give you a like for being a good sport in the debate.
We disagree & agree in some areas. Credit that your responses were respectful. Too many key board "warriors" on sports forums, other places too. They show lots of vinegar to strangers across electrons but are mostly mice in confrontations vs. real people. Being "real tough" on the internet makes them feel better. Too many (maybe not you) can't seem to realize that many HW champs of decades ago are now Cruisers or small HWs. For example I think Usyk would be very competitive (not saying he wins them all) vs.: Johnson era & prior, Dempsey, Louis, Marciano*, Liston (Machen easily went the distance w/Sonny boxing carefully. OU is bigger & more talented); people will jump out of their chairs, Frazier, Ali, etc. If Usyk can beat a 6'6" 240+lb. AJ 2X & many give him a good chance vs. 6'9" 270lb. Fury, he can compete & beat many former HW champs. * I've mentioned Patterson & Ingo before & I mainly listed big name former HW champs up to 70s. I'm an older boomer, so what your seeing in YT vids I saw live or replayed decades ago. You likely are aware that big fights were shown on reg. TV back in the day before sports became just another get all you can squeeze business. LIke our JustUS (lawyers) & Sickcare (Docs & Big Pharma) businesses, to name a few.
Why? Holyfield has better resume depth but that is offset to some degree by some pretty bad losses whereas Usyk never lost in his prime.
There is to people with half a brain. He was having HGH delivered to his house under the name Even Fields.
When did he fail a test and where’s the proof he used it? Anyone with a half of a brain know that you can’t state something as a fact that never happened.
He doesn't have to fail a test. You have to be complete buffoon to think that he didn't do the HGH he had sent to his house.
Exactly. Holyfield finished in the amateurs as a light heavyweight. Usyk finished in the WSB as a Super Heavyweight fighting guys like Joe Joyce. In Holyfield's second pro fight, he weighed 178. In Usyk's second pro fight, he weighed 206. (Holyfield didn't weigh that much when he lost his World Heavyweight title to Riddick Bowe.) There was a nearly 30 pound weight difference between Holyfield and Usyk began their pro careers. Usyk never would've even fought at cruiserweight if the limit was 190, like it was when Evander competed there. He was never close to that light as a pro. Evander had to work his way up to cruiserweight limit of 190, and Usyk wouldn't be able to dry out enough to get down to that 190-limit.
It isn't hearsay that he was having HGH delivered to his house. You are an idiot. Please don't talk to me any longer.
The heavyweights of Holyfield's day were basically cruiserweights though they were in no way comparable size-wise to a guy like Fury so its a silly comparison. If Holyfield is fighting in an era with a 200 pound limit and guys like Fury and Joyce in the heavyweight top 10 maybe he never leaves cruiserweight in the first place.
Usyk has to win many H/W battles before we can say he's better than Holyfield. Usyk has time here but I think he get's beat if he fights Fury.
