Prime Holyfield wins a wide UD. Heck, a rapidly declining 38 year old version arguably beat Lewis in their second fight.
If a prime Holyfield fought Lewis in the way like how he in his 2nd match against Riddick Bowe, Holyfield would win via split decision. I think Holyfield tends to want to outmuscle and destroy the bigger guy, he tried that against Bowe in his 3rd fight and paid the price.
Depends if youre talking about the pre steroids holyfield. Because the pre steroid version was too small and the post steroid version would have lost a points decision
If both Holyfield and Lewis had fought atleast once before this prime-vs-prime fight, I'd slightly favor Holyfield; but if this prime-vs-prime fight were both meeting for the first time, I'd moderately favor Lewis. I'm guessing, from their actual fights, that it would take a first fight for Holyfield to figure out a good approach to fighting Lewis.
Early 90's? Lewis wins the first by split decision (Evander still looking ahead to Tyson, as usual), Holyfield wins by KO in the rematch. No doubt in my mind.
What do you consider prime for each man? IMO Holyfield was pretty well past prime and Lewis was prime when they fought twice in 1999. Holyfield went just 8-6-1 (4) 1NC after Lewis. The 8 wins have come against lower level guys... especially the KO wins. The younger Lewis may have been more aggressive but he was also a sloppier fighter. He was at his best vs. Holyfield and even beyond. Holyfield peaked in the early 90's but still managed to get wins over Tyson, Moorer, and others while past prime. Prime vs. Prime? Holyfield
Lewis the cherry picker? Please. The whole reason Lewis and Holyfield didn't fight sooner was because Lewis was hiding in England fighting for meaningless Euro titles while ducking everyone good. Even old Holyfield gave Lewis 2 decent fights. Lewis did win the first fight but Holyfield won the second and almost dropped Lewis in round 7. Holyfield would beat this guy to a pulp over rounds and TKO him late. Lewis couldn't hurt old Holyfield once during 2 fights.
I think Evander would always have problems with Lewis because Lewis could mix it up a little and he was big and strong like Bowe. I think the younger quicker Holyfield would make the fight a lot more competitive so in my opinion its a pickem type fight unless Holyfield is able to drag Lewis into a fight similar to Lewis fight with Mercer, then I think Holyfield beats him easy possibly by late round stoppage.