Holyfield was only 205 when he stood toe to toe with Riddick Bowe

Imagine being involved in arguably the best cruiserweight AND heavyweight title fights in history. Holyfield is an ATG warrior through and through.

 

The punches he took from Bowe, plus getting dropped and savagely beaten by a much bigger, heavier guy. Yet somehow he still fights toe to toe AND makes it to the distance. Really speaks volume of Holyfield's heart and durability. The fact that he managed to avenge that loss the year after is even more impressive.

 

He definitely was.
Especially in his earlier year's fighting Dwight, Alex Stewart, Dokes,Bowe, Moorer, Foreman etc.

 

People have this idea in their head that being near 200 is too light to win at HW and its really not. People have confused that weight falling out of fashion for it being too light to win.

Of course a smaller fighter needs to be durable. If Holyfield was a light touch weighing another 10-20 pounds wasn't going to save him.

 

Really?

 

Young Bowe caught old Holyfield, who retired after that fight. Two years earlier and Holyfield made him quit every time in sparring. Bowe-Holyfield I was Evander's coming down from his peak ( too many brawls, that he liked.. seemed to want too many punches from Foreman). Started down his way on that fight. Two years earlier and Holyfield KO's him.

This is why: Holyfield > Bowe.. in the end.

 

The mileage on the clock must have caught up with Holyfield however he seemed rejuvenated in the rematch with Bowe the following year. In the 3rd fight I only had him winning possibily 2 rounds. Against Tyson and Moorer in 1996 and 1997 it seemed like he was back on form. The first Lewis fight he was outboxed in rematch he made a tactical fight in what ironically could have been a draw. I scored it 6-5-1 or 6-6 that was Holyfield's last great effort for me. Bowe is another story!