Something I'm noticing about Holyfield's title defenses compared to Bowe and Lewis'

A lot of people have an axe to grind with Holyfield because he proved head to head the superior boxer over Tyson, which they never dreamed possible. Too bad Tyson wanted out.. there was another KO coming up.

Only two unified champions in cruiserweight history: Holyfield, Usyk.
That really does say something.

 

I don't know why you're so fixated on single names.

Yes Holyfield fought a few soft touches like Bean but during this period he was also fighting Tyson, Moorer, Lewis, so it's irrelevant in the end because the other opponents were so good.

It's an issue if someone is consistently choosing easier opponents like Holmes did towards the end of reign.

But I don't see an issue with the odd easier defence aslong as the right fights get made in the end which they did for Holyfield.

 

He was going to fight Akinwande as well, before Henry caught Hep.

 

If you wanted to flip that argument on its head, then you would take a deeper dive on Holyfield's longevity, and number of fights against ranked contenders.

 

He was all ready to KO Tyson before Buster Douglas flipped the script.

 

I wouldn't class a top 4 ranked 39-1 tricky Southpaw as a "soft touch" or an "easy unification".

 

Holyfield has one of the best resumes of all time, so what if he didn't win them all. I don't ever recall him backing down from anyone.

Lewis IMO has better title defenses and wins than both.

Bowe has a weak resume compared to Holyfield but acknowledged his wins over Gonzalez, Hide, Donald didn't pan out as well as they could have. His management was trying to take the path of least resistance for title fights with Dokes and Ferguson and Newman at the time was also trying to get a defense against of all people Mitch Green.

Also I feel like Holyfields title defenses need a little context like other posters have been saying. Foreman was ranked I believe and a big money fight, Cooper was not only a sub for Damiani, Damiani was a sub for Mike Tyson so not horrible on a week or so notice. Holmes best Mercer.

 

That has nothing to do with your original statement suggesting Moorer was a a soft touch or an easy unification.

In what world is a 39-1 top 4 ranked tricky Southpaw considered easy ? Simple answer it isn't so that's factually incorrect and that's you reaching to further your point which doesn't actually work in this case.

 

He would have been if he had got to Tyson in 90/91. Comprehend that.

And NABF heavyweight champion (vs Dokes) meant more than WBO back then.