Better defensive skills: Joe Frazier or Evander Holyfield ?

:huh

Frazier was more consistent, using continous movement to get inside the reach of bigger men and time them with his left hook when they missed.

In his physical prime, Holyfield could box very well off his back foot but was not very consistent with this approach. He was vunerable when he slugged on the inside and often got himself into trouble, though he was certainly capable of fighting or boxing his way out of such hairy situations. Older Holyfield was a tough frustrating spoiler, catching long jabs and smothering fighters on the inside before they could get off their punches.

Both were pretty effective but Evander probably relied more on his durability overall.

 

I think Mongoose illustrated how complex of a question that really is.

 

Frazier got out of a lot of tight spots before succumbing in round five of the Foreman rematch. In the second round of his first fight with Bonavena, the three knockdown rule was in effect, and Ringo dropped him twice early. Joe's success at remaining on his feet through the following storm, without running or clinching, was a terrific achievement of survival. (He tucked inside and took away Oscar's punching room.)

Joe simply didn't have Evander's chin. His defense had to be better, and the bob and weave converted him from contender to champion.

 

This, although Holy's defense wasnt bad especially later in his career.

 

Good post, I go with Frazier as well.

 

just because of te bob and weave it had to be frazier. to this day he is still one of the top fighters for avoiding punches impressive to sy he had 45 rounds with the fastest heavyweight of all time and he could only really see partially out his left eye!

 

Hard to say since both liked to trade punches. Holyfield at his best had a better defense, and was a much better counter puncher.

 

evander holyfield

 

well holyfield relied more so on his iron chin then a defense

Joe relied on a bob and weave and his heart to get to the title

 

Absolutely right. Joe doesn't have Evanders' chin because there's no way Holyfield gets up 6 times against Foreman.