How Was Holyfield Viewed As a Contender From 1988-1990?

How was Holyfield viewed from 1988-1990 after he moved up to the heavyweights, and before he won the title?

Was he viewed as:

A) A guy who should be favored against Tyson

B) A legitimate threat to Tyson (but not favored against him)

C) Clearly better than other contenders of the time, but still unlikely to pose a threat to Tyson

or

D) A good contender, but not particularly better than the other solid contenders of the time

 

I voted "B) A legitimate threat to Tyson (but not favored against him)" but of course opinions varied, and people changed their opinions from fight-to-fight.

In the immediate aftermath of Tyson-Spinks, Holyfield was probably given his lowest ever chance, as the Tysonmania ran into overdrive. In fact, only a prime Ali was given a chance in the face of such hype and hysteria.

But when Tyson fought a sloppy fight against Bruno and Holyfield came through victorious in the Dokes classic, opinions would have been tempered and the estimates narrowed a lot.

But it's worth remembering that the perceptions of the "experts" has little bearing on reality.

Pinklon Thomas thought Holyfield compared well against Tyson :

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llp3_RHpaco[/ame]

 

B.

Pre-Douglas, Holyfield was viewed as the main threat, who could conceivably beat Tyson if he fought the perfect fight and Tyson wasn't at hie best, but I'm sure an overwhelming majority would've picked Tyson to win.

Tyson had that aura of invincibility. He didn't just beat his challengers, he mostly kicked their asses in dominating fashion.

 

I think that video said it all. THe media viewed Holyfield as a legitimate challenger, but werent sure he would have the firepower to keep Tyson off. Stylistically I think at that time, Tyson was all wrong for Holyfield. Tysons defense was tight and Holyfield would engage recklessly, he had shown a clear pattern of it. Would have spelled doom for Holyfield.

 

That's quite a sad interview for Thomas there, he seems a bit distrought.

 

Suck? Haha, yeah he's hardly consoling the man.

 

Pacheco is still as big a ***** as he ever was both in and out of boxing.

 

It does. Is it concensus opinion he's an arsehole? I have a vid which he hosts called the 12 greatest rounds of boxing where he seems ok, then i saw that doc where he was laying into Joe Frazier and thought, ****inghell.

 

He treated the loser so well 3:00 mark

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE107olC2k8[/ame]

 

I never like Ferdie Pacheco but he earned my unremitting contempt with his comments about Joe Frazier on that Thrilla In Manila documentary. Shocking.