Holyfield in the Louis era

I simply can't see Holyfield as an easy #2 considering how different he'd likely be back then. Less modern training, less Evan Fields, and much more struggle to be at the top considering that he'll have to face up against guys like Louis and Schmeling. I think he'd only be considered #2 at the weight due to being potentially more consistent than Max, but even then, who knows.

 

More like he's a super-talent. He cleaned out cruiserweight with a rare ease. At that time, he was to cruiserweight what Tyson was to heavyweight. Turns out Holyfield was greater than Tyson. Who knew?

 

The 190lbs version of Holyfield, he probably beats everyone and if he goes on as long as Louis did, he may have more success as the 36-37 year old versions of Holyfield was better than Louis.

Would I pick the literal 36 year old version of Holyfield who fought Lewis to beat Charles? Maybe, but a 36 year old, 190lbs version of Holyfield, maybe not, and a year later at 37 and 190lbs, against Marciano, also maybe not.

I think he does similar to how Louis did tbh.

 

In his cruiserweight championship form with only 12-18 fights ? Yes he could lose to them. A 36 year old Qawi fought a dozen fight Holyfield to 15 round split decision and had him hurt.

 

Their rematch, one year or so later, was like a cat and a mouse. Qawi was the mouse.

 

I’m aware.

 

Holyfield loses to Louis, although imho Max Baer also poses threats.

 

I'm going to be honest with you...His style was tailor-made for Natie Mann.

 

I think Holyfield beats all the opponents Louis did. As for him against Louis, would be a good fight. I think he could beat him. Holyfield was an extremely tough guy to beat and he didn't take no for answer. He may get tagged like he did against Cooper, but then he would come back.
I like this matchup because Holyfield was not a big heavyweight, and this matchup is fair in terms of size. Would have been interesting.

 

Most people, really, most, bring up Holyfield-Qawi I as a way to denigrate Holyfield. It's so pervasive that I rarely reply to it, the lemmings. But every once in a great while I'll bring up Holyfield-Qawi II and enjoy the silence. THAT is the one that showed Holyfield could beat Tyson, not Holyfield-Qawi I as that indicator-the man had had all of 12 pro fights.

Rare, near impossible, to say then.. and now too, it seems.

Holyfield #2 in Louis era. With one win over Louis and one or two loss over..

 

It was a great performance by Evander. Of course Qawi was now 37 for the rematch. And I wasn’t degrading Holyfield. Just pointing out that he’d have a chance of losing to the men mentioned in the thread while being in his cruiserweight form . It’s not wrong to point to the first Qawi fight as one of the reasons why

 

Great performance? It was his 15th fight.

 

Yes a great performance in his 15th fight

 

Ok. I still rate Holyfield as a potential #2 simply due to consistency, and I think he loses to Louis as long as Joe as in good shape. I also think that Evander gets knocked out by Schmeling if he fights a good version of him. #2 is the farthest he can go.