Is the cruiserweight version of Holyfield one of THE greatest fighters ever h2h?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by DINAMITA, Mar 27, 2009.


  1. DINAMITA

    DINAMITA Guest

    The Real Deal at cruiserweight.

    Asserted his superiority over the excellent Qawi. Would surely have done the same against Toney, Jirov, Haye, anyone else who has ever fought in that division. A 190-200lbs version of Moorer may have given him a decent fight. A 190-200lbs version of Michael Spinks would have been a severe test, but I feel that weight category was Holyfield's domain, and I'd still back him to win.

    H2H, was cruiserweight Holyfield on the same level as ww Robinson, lw Duran, ww Leonard, fw Pep, etc? Was he one of the elite fighters of history in terms of ability?

    :bbb
     
    DINAMITA, Mar 27, 2009
    DINAMITA, Mar 27, 2009
    #1
  2. Monstar

    Monstar The Future.. Full Member

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    maybe....i'd say SRR at 147, but Holy would defiantly be up there, but at the same time how many greats has that division had?

    nevermind.....misread it, you said "one of the" not "the" then yeah, i agree he is
     
    Monstar, Mar 27, 2009
    Monstar, Mar 27, 2009
    #2
  3. Addie

    Addie Myung Woo Yuh! Full Member

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    His success at Heavyweight alone would suggest that as a Cruiserweight, he was in a world of his own. But he did get some great work done at that weight, and beat everybody there was too beat. It's not really been a talent rich division though, so we can only go on what we saw of him. He was sensational.
     
    Addie, Mar 27, 2009
    Addie, Mar 27, 2009
    #3
  4. Piffer

    Piffer ****** KIT KAT Full Member

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    Piffer, Mar 27, 2009
    Piffer, Mar 27, 2009
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  5. Shpion

    Shpion IDF Full Member

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    Probably the best CW of all times, at least in my view.
     
    Shpion, Mar 27, 2009
    Shpion, Mar 27, 2009
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  6. DINAMITA

    DINAMITA Guest

    You won't find many bigger supporters of James Toney on this site than me, but for me his best weight was undoubtedly 160-168. I am aware he fought at cruiser in the 90s, but I am also aware that he was not especially impressive there until the Robinson and Jirov fights much later. Saying that he would be a challenge for the cruiser Holyfield is like saying Mosley would be a challenge for Sugar Ray Leonard at welterweight - there is excellence, and then there is special ability. Toney was superb at cruiser for a short window, but he was not on Holyfield's level there IMO.
     
    DINAMITA, Mar 27, 2009
    DINAMITA, Mar 27, 2009
    #6
  7. Monstar

    Monstar The Future.. Full Member

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    but i'm sure 50-60 years down the line it will have more greats, seeing as its relatively young division in comparasin to the others
     
    Monstar, Mar 27, 2009
    Monstar, Mar 27, 2009
    #7
  8. joejab

    joejab Thread Killa Full Member

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    joejab, Mar 27, 2009
    joejab, Mar 27, 2009
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  9. PH|LLA

    PH|LLA VIP Member Full Member

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    imo Marciano would've given him hell and probably beaten him
     
    PH|LLA, Mar 27, 2009
    PH|LLA, Mar 27, 2009
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  10. Brickhaus

    Brickhaus Packs the house Full Member

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    I think he's one step down. Due to his size, he never really had to deal with slicksters and defensive wizards, and I think that some of the elite H2H fighters (Pep, Jones, etc.) would have exposed some of the holes in his game that he never needed to plug due to his competition. Even with respect to more conventional fighters, H2H and pared down I think some straightforward bangers with great boxing skills (i.e. Hagler, recent Pacquiao, Duran) would have given him fits.
     
    Brickhaus, Mar 27, 2009
    Brickhaus, Mar 27, 2009
    #10
  11. Williams27

    Williams27 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    - CORRECT for the first part :deal. Not sure about being on Robinson or the other guys level. Probably as good as Pep and Duran.
     
    Williams27, Mar 27, 2009
    Williams27, Mar 27, 2009
    #11