Was Holyfield the last dominant respected American HW?

During his first run he was viewed as too small, and he struggled with the first real batch of heavyweights that were still going in their 40s. Many people expected Bowe to be the heir apparent, while the true champion lingered in prison.
Holyfield looked washed up during his Moorer loss, Bowe 3 loss, and horrible performance against Czyz.
Then he got all the respect in the world for beating Tyson thoroughly in a fight. That Sent his career resume sky high, but in retrospect Tyson was never Tyson post prison. His second career was a mirage.
Holyfield’s best days were behind him as well. He was still competent, with loads of heart but he was easy to hit with mediocre stamina.

 

So would you consider Tyson the last dominant american champ ????? Or do we have to go all the way back to Holmes.

The funny thing is even if they were more dominant Holyfield has the better resume as far as wins go

 

It’s Holyfield or Tyson
Wilder was viewed as a clown with a right hand that could work against 40 year olds, at least outside of Alabama

 

Amongst others.
And Moorer was much better thsn those 2 guys.

 

The OP kind of asks two questions - the last respected and dominant.
Holyfield was clearly respected. No question.
However pure dominant is Tyson’s late 80s run.

 

He lost to Moorer, a guy who never beat a guy in the top ten other than Holyfield and got knocked out by a 46 year old.

Wilder beat Szpilka and Duhaupas, amongst others.

 

I don’t know if Holyfield was truly “ dominant “ at any given time except for perhaps at cruiserweight. But he might well be the last “ respected “ American heavyweight champion

 

Yeah I would.

Tyson had 10 world title wins in a 4 year period.

He unified all the belts.

Was dominating pretty much everyone.

37-0 between 1985-1989.

 

Thats correct Tyson showed more dominance but Holyfield arguably has the better list of wins and avenged a loss to both Moorer and Bowe

 

So now your oretending like he didnt knock him out in the rematch?
He also outbixed Bowe-a boxer the class of whom Wilder has never met let alone beat.

 

Holyfield was a steroid cheat out of the ring and a cheater every other way inside the ring. Not only does he not deserve respect but he shouldnt even be in the HOF. Allowing cheaters like Holyfield and Mosely in the HOF renders that honor meaningless.

 

Your a big Wilder fan....ok

 

The last American to dominate the HW division, was Mike Tyson.

 

He wasn’t dominant because he went 1-1 against Moorer (lol) and 1-2 against Bowe.

 

And Wilder was?