Why was it easier for Holyfield vs Tyson

I think Tyson had a big speed advantage over the bigger heavyweights. That along with accuracy and power was his strength. I think Holyfield being a smaller heavy could compete with that speed and was a very resilient fighter both physically and mentally. Just for the record I picked Holyfield to turn the trick against Tyson and I always fancied his chances if they'd of fought earlier for all those reasons.

 

Partly because Holyfield really respected Tyson's abilities so he was very defensively aware and rolled with Tyson's punches.
Against some of those other guys he had moments where he got a bit arrogant and stood square on asking for it.

The main thing is styles. Holyfield thrived as a counter-puncher against Tyson's sheer aggression.

 

Personally, I think Holyfield got into Tysons head with that quiet but confident demeanor he carried into the fights. Most of Tysons opponents showed some type of anxiety to down right fear of him.

 

Reverse the circumstances ...............put Holy in the can for three years, have him fight a handful of rounds against so so competition and then put him against Tyson who was active , stayed on top of his game and is able to go a full 12 similar to the Razor fights.........

Tyson was 50% the fighter after the prison stint in comparison to the form he displayed against Razor.........and 35% the fighter he was when he faced Bonecrusher or Spinks.

He still had very fast hands , a great chin and hardcore power but he was very one dimensional, no combos, no elusiveness , squared up , stood straight up and hardly had any head movement and did not "work" to get in simple walked in to deliver plus he was never ever in the kind of shape where he could go a hard full twelve rounds.

The after prison Tyson would have never dominated from 86-89 like the prime version, not even close.

Post prison Tyson fought on pure talent with no dedication.

 

That's exactly it , holy field was in tyson s mind for years I believe as the guy that wouldn't back down. I don't believe he was confident the first time that they were scheduled to meet. Even though holy field looked poor in the previous fights he had before meeting tyson I believe tyson still had doubts. Holy was quietly calm and assured and tyson picked up on that.. And during the first fight evender fought like he didn't give a crap about tyson strength. He broke tyson down mentally and physically.

 

I think it falls back to the old standby ... styles make fights, and Holyfield had the best plan to handle Tyson, both physically and psychologically. I draw comparisons to Ali/Foreman, with Holyfield in the Ali role and Tyson as Foreman; Ali had struggled against Norton and Frazier, both of whom Foreman destroyed. His losing the bout was all but a sure thing. But Ali had a strategy/skills/style to deal with Big George that the other two hadn't - the difference being, of course, Evander's quiet confidence vs Ali's loud confidence. In the end, both were successful where others weren't - they had both the mindset and the skill set.

 

Because he was DISCIPLINED. He couldn't afford to make mistakes, he fought the perfect fight. He was physically stronger also. Tyson wasn't shot but he was only prepared for a quick blowout and had become a one dimensional banger.
Holyfield really fought a great fight, kind of like hopkins vs Tito but evander stepped into mike instead of staying out like hopkins. But just like b-hop he avoided too much punishment early and came on late to force the stoppage. Evander couldn't have boxed and moved nor could he have slugged so he stepped into mike until the early assault was weathered and then wore him down. He had learned a lot from his losses to bowe. Holy was very smart later on.
IMO in 91 a hungry tyson on comeback trail beats an overconfident holy in a good fight, and evander whoops him in the rematch.

 

I think that Holyfield nullified Tyson's speed and power by mauling, holding, wrestling, butting and fighting a Fulmer type of fight. Evander's granite-like chin, superb conditioning, confidence, and fearlessness were also big factors.

 

The same reason Douglas had it easy with Tyson. If you failed for the hype around Tyson you were dead before you entered the ring. Tyson had skill but he was never as good as his fans make him out. His speed was his power. He admited that various people power was better than his. He wasn't strong physically which means you could easily push him around the ring. If you Tyson punched you and you punched back and didn't show fear he backed down like all bullies did.

Holyfield didn't fear any boxer and wouldn't back down from anybody. Evander was also great at counter punching in his prime. So he would wait for Tyson to load up and just counter which he did.

Foreman was stronger than Tyson. He was a better puncher than Tyson. He had a better chin than Tyson. He had a better jab, he believed in himself more and would always keep coming forward.

Bowe was the same way. He was better at Tyson in ever way besides hand speed. Mercer was tougher, Moorer was a better boxer.

Tyson's mentality was that of the typical guy in the real world who thinks beating on females and pulling guns out on a person makes them a man. But when they step up to a male that doesn't fear him ( in in Tyson care the hype around him ) they show what kind of coward they are.

That is why Holyfield beat Tyson easily.

 

Did he really have it easy? Tyson hit him with some big shots in the early rounds.

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I cant add anything to the above.
I think it's a damn good answer.

 

What an objectivity ! You aren't clearly not ready to say Stewart(Who was a first round Tyson victim) is better than Tyson.