How do you feel about Holyfield's legacy?

Douglas
Tyson X2
Bowe X3
Lewis X2
Mercer
Foreman
Holmes
Ruiz X3
Moorer X2
Byrd
Rahman

Guy was never afraid to fight anyone. Was he a dominant force like Joe Louis? No. But I think there are few heavies in history that would do better against that competition than Holyfield did over a decade plus. Not sure where I place him though.

 

With respect, I think you're wrapping up a specific and unique characteristic I am mentioning as part of a general and common behaviour that may also be applicable.

 

At 23, and in his 12th fight, he beat Dwight Qawi over 15 rounds to be the world's top man at 190lbs.

At 37, he fought a consensus top 10 ATG (10 is not generous) in Lennox Lewis and gave him a hard fight, running him very close. Lewis' next year - 2000 - is often considered his most dominant. Not only was Evander well past his best against a top ten guy who was, in comparison, pretty close to his prime, he was also spotting him 30 odd pounds in weight.

In both fights against great fighters, he ceded real advantages (experience to Qawi and relative youth/size to Lewis). Outside of Foreman, Louis, Holmes and Ali, you won't find another heavyweight that produced such exceptional performances so far apart. It's quite illustrious company. And he belongs there.

 

Agreed. He could make cruiser with dehydration, but given his combo of power, speed, and durability, why bother? He's not someone you'd want to keep out of HW to improve his chances. His chances at HW would be just fine.

 

I was at the Qawi fight. Best fight I’ve ever seen live without question. It was enthralling to watch it unfold. Holyfield’s will vs. Qawi’s guile and awkwardness and determination to hang onto his crown. For. 15. Rounds. No real breaks in the action as I recall it. Neither would give the other the satisfaction of a breather.

 

I would feel a lot better about his legacy if Holy never got his ass kicked by Vitor Belfort.

 

It’s just a bad idea to have an old guy fight a guy not in the same age range. Two old guys doesn’t seem as much of a concern.

 

Foreman had his moments but he was not close to knocking Holyfield out or actually winning the fight. Sounds like you need to rewatch it. No offense.
I’d place Evander in the back half of the HW Top-10.

 

Fantastic Post.

 

That I like.

There was one man that could have beat Mike Tyson in 1990/1991.. Evander Holyfield could have matched that impetuous style with Sugar Ray Robinson type similarities (dig in body shots).. enter Buster Douglas. Personally, I always had money CASH< JACK, on Holyfield over Tyson. ALWAYS

Holyfield was the type of guy that would have put pressure on Tyson even as a cruiswerweight in 88.

But he fought to the level of his competition.. so he's underrated.

 

I've never heard anyone in real life (off here) question Evander's legacy to the sport.......................his jersey is in the rafters

 

Peds? How many other fighters used them and didn't reach near his level, Morrison for example is second rate compared to Holyfield

Headbutts and low blows? How many fights would he have lost without them, they were not a necessary component of his wins

 

Also, he could take the rough stuff too, Tyson's bad eye cut was a result of his leading with the head and he tried a fair bit of hitting after the bell as well as other rough stuff. Dokes only got on the end of the jock strap/headbutt combo after repeatedly hitting Holy low. Foreman has said Holyfield was dirty but he whooped a few low ones in on Holyfield. Bowe went low, hit after the bell, rabbit punches.

Who can remember Holyfield ever complaining? He barely blinked. He just made a mental note to pay it back with interest. He knew he was in a fight. He boxed on, barely missing a beat after Tyson bit some of his ear off and spat it out. I don't want to hear about dirty tactics, Everyone's tried a few. By and large, you don't get disqualified so you keep on pulling them until that becomes a possibility. Evander went outside the law but stayed within the parameters allowed by those in place to enforce the laws. Well done to him for that.

 

Top 2 Cruiserweight of all time.

Top 10 Heavyweight of all time.

Top 40 ATG.

And whilst i respect Usyk alot as a fighter people have gone a bit OTT rating him as one of the greatest of all time, for me as i said in a previous thread he hasn't even surpassed Holyfield yet in ATG rankings.