Who was the best HW of the 1990's?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by MaccaveliMacc, Jul 8, 2026.

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Who was better in the 1990's?

  1. The Real Deal

    10 vote(s)
    32.3%
  2. The Lion

    21 vote(s)
    67.7%
  1. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Lewis beat Holyfield, but didn't beat Bowe, Moorer, Foreman and Tyson. Holyfield beat those guys, but he also had some losses along the way. Lewis had a deeper resume, but Holyfield had better top wins. Holyfield was considered number 1 in the division from 90 to 92, in 93 and from 96 to 99. Lewis was only considered number 1 after he beat Holyfield in 99.

    Who are you picking?
     
  2. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Lennox Lewis imo
     
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  3. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Lewis was considered number 1 after the supposed draw with Holyfield.
     
  4. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yes, but it's still the last year of the decade.
     
  5. Joeywill

    Joeywill Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Overall its Holyfield

    He became champion in 1990

    Lewis wasnt fighting top opp until earliest 91 maybe 92

    Lewis held secondary title and got KOd by a gatekeeper

    Holyfield beat Bowe, Tyson 2x, avenged his loss to Moorer, knocked out Buster Douglas for undisputed and beat future heavyweight champion George Foreman. He also beat Larry Holmes and Ray Mercer who Lennox Lewis struggled against and arguably lost.

    Not to mention Holyfield fought very close vs Lewis in the 2nd fight and this was a way past it Holyfield vs a prime Lennox Lewis.

    Easy choice

    If you add Lewis from 2000-2003 then I would go Lewis
     
  6. Oddone

    Oddone Bermane Stiverne's life coach. Full Member

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    Lewis.

    Everything special about Holyfield came out of a bottle, not to mention his numerous and egregious headbutts. However if you ignore that...

    Yes he beat a thirty pounds overweight Douglas who showed up for a check and a forty two year old Foreman. I don't rate either very highly. He was supposed to beat them and many were surprised at how well Foreman did against Evander.

    Holyfield also beat Bowe, by a single round MD with the fan man incident occurring in the seventh round where three judges scored the round three different ways (one foe Holy, one for Bowe and one 10/10) after the fight resumed.

    Holyfield lost four times (five if you dont count the draw against Lennox).

    Meanwhile Lewis was obliterating Ruddock who took Tyson nineteen rounds, Golota who took Bowe sixteen rounds and avenged his only loss by giving Oliver McCall a mental breakdown.
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2026
  7. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Holy could be the greatest, if you only look to achievements in that decade, but Lewis the best for me. I think he was a better HW in his prime and he hit his prime in the late 90's.
     
  8. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    That's what we're doing here.
     
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  9. Boxing GOAT

    Boxing GOAT Active Member Full Member

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    Lewis, and he did it without the help of steroids like Evan Fields.
     
  10. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    How do you know that? None of them popped dirty.
     
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  11. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    Floyd Patterson.
     
  12. SouthpawsRule

    SouthpawsRule Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Do you actually believe that any of those guys was clean?

    OT: Lewis
     
  13. Boxing GOAT

    Boxing GOAT Active Member Full Member

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    They weren't blood testing back then and a package delivered to his home under the name of "Evan Fields" containing PEDs is the smoking gun. Look at his physique throughout his career, he just doesn't look natural either.

    "Evan Fields" was an alias linked to Evander Holyfield during a 2007 steroid distribution investigation. Investigators found that the name used the boxer's exact birthdate, a similar address, and when reporters dialed the contact number associated with the prescription, Evander Holyfield answered the phone himself. [1, 2, 3, 4]

    According to SI.com, the 44-year-old former champion is believed to be “Evan Fields” by investigators. He allegedly picked up drugs from a private Georgia urologist, whose offices also were raided. Authorities traced the drugs to Applied in Mobile, Ala., which was raided last fall.

    The Web site reports that in June 2004, an individual believed by investigators to be Holyfield picked up three vials of testosterone, two vials of the drug Glukor, and injection supplies. Then, less than a week later, he received five vials of human growth hormone (HGH) and related supplies.
     
  14. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    You responded to a poster who knew everything you just posted and still asked the question. That’s why cynicism is the answer sometimes.
     
  15. slash

    slash Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    well, of course they weren't clean. naivety here is strong. sounds like Tyson fans. subjective, selective reasoning.

    Holyfield (could float around the ring.. when he decided to), skilled beyond Lewis (a bit lumbering). If Holyfield, rather small, could hang with Lewis, special K diet, when Lewis was otherwise demolishing all opponents, it was on skills.

    Holyfield was a juiced cruiserweight fighting juiced heavyweights. It was his skills put him over. End of..