I would love to be enlightened on why the majority of fans and analysts believe he was a top all time heavyweight.
Probably has something to do with his wins over: Dwight Muhammad Qawi Mike Tyson Riddick Bowe Michael Moorer Ray Mercer Larry holmes Buster Douglas George Foreman Hasim Rahman ....just to name a few.. and the fact that he's still regarded as the greatest cruiserweight in history and the fact that he was a smaller man who conquered the sport's most crowned divsion, the heavyweight division.
Oh please! Okay for the **** of it! Moved up to create history by becoming the first undisputed cruiserweight champion to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. Scorched Buster Douglas with one punch Waged War with Bowe who was 30lbs heavier in one of the best Heavyweight fights ever in Fight 1. Avenged the loss in Fight 2 with a magnificent display of boxing. Flored Mercer in a great fight Came back from a beating and severe illness to almost stop Bowe in Fight 3. Acheived what many thought was the impossible by beating the **** out of Tyson Avenged loss to Moorer Scared the living **** out of Lewis in Fight 2 who had to fight for survival at times and Holyfield was past it. Anything else after that counts for nothing as he was washed up. The man was a bonafide warrior and on his day would give any heavyweight (AND I DO MEAN ANY HEAVYWEIGHT) living hell!!!!!!! All of that with a 205-220lb frame when he frequently took on goliaths! That chunk of **** who woefully defended his belts last night would have been ktfo if he'd shared the ring with a prime Holyfield last night. You can take that **** to the bank.
Mind you, that is not to say people do not go easy on him. If Evan Fields was a Euro fighter, certain of his training methods would be questioned.
If you don't respect the warrior spirit he showed in the later rounds of the first Bowe fight then I DON'T RESPECT YOU.
when I watched Holyfeild in the Olympics I told the people around me; "You mark my words, this kid will be the heavyweight champion of the world someday."
this basicly explains my sentiments. Holyfeild was a warrior plain and simple. and while he may not have been all that great head to head (Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Louis all probably beat him head to head inside the distance) his accomplishments make him stand high enough (I think he was a 5 time heavyweight champion by the way)
Was a 25-1 underdog vs. Tyson. Had an iron chin and took a 240lb Bowe in his prime to stop a 215lb Holyfield. Had very good speed, timing, ring generalship, stamina, jab, defense, and power. He adapted very well to different styles and always had a will to win and came to fight. Fought and beat all the best fighters of the 90's with the exception of Lewis. Beat about half a dozen of very solid, very good contenders.