We can add in a loss to Larry Donald, another big guy who can box with a jab. I would say Ruiz was a semi skilled boxer, and he's 1-1-1 vs Holy.
Can anyone remember that thread from a couple of months ago, where a load of us pitted our top 15 heavyweights head to head against each other, saying who would go 12-3, 9-6, who they would lose to, etc? Just been looking for it, without luck. Sorry to interrupt this thread, btw, it just got me thinking. Thanks
I think Holyfield had excellent skills and eyes. His excellent footwork and IQ too helped him throw punches in combinations from different angles. He would keep his attacks fresh because he could move well to his left or right and he could throw different combinations. Good power too and a great chin. He’s an incredible fighter.
Holyfield as we all know had an incredible desire to win, which probably led him to using steroids to he could compete at the highest levels in the heaviest division. It's tough to pin down Holyfield's prime because it had several peaks and valleys. I remember believing he was washed up at different points against Bowe in the 3rd fight, Moorer in the first fight and against Bobby Czyz. His magnificent performance against Tyson gave new life into his career but I believe he was quickly sliding by the time he fought Lewis in 1999. Prime Holyfield is a handful for most but his track record against Big heavies is not great - competitive but usually coming up just short. So i cant pick him against prime big guys like Wlad and Young George.
Holyfield is 2-5 in his signature fights when you take a washed up Tyson out of his resume.....I repeat , he won 2........lost 5.......without the fan man he is 1-6..... Holyfield ENTIRE reputation is made out of the two Tyson impersonator victories who was only a fraction of what he was before he went in. Funny thing, Tyson is used as some great achievement to bolster Holyfields and Lewis's resume but in return when Tyson is matched up against other fighters he is a borderline bum according to the usual Forum idiots here. However, Holyfield is the undisputed PED King, no question.
Foreman, Holmes , Ali and Louis should beat him. Frazier is a 50-50 fight. He should beat Lewis on points. He stops Tyson. He stops Wlad.
How the hell does he stop Wlad? What, with his incredible tale of the tape advantages? I actually picked Lewis and Wlad as the only men who don't beat a prime Holyfield. Although, conceivably, every single name on that list could beat a prime Holyfield.
I say the 64-67 Ali wins convincingly. The Lennox that trained under Steward could win , but not the version that beat Bruno- he gets outboxed. Joe Louis would draw him inside to fight which could go either way. Holy was among my favorite to watch reel time. His 1st fight was a barn burner which immediately revealed his will. His win over Qawi in just 12 fights validated that willpower to win. The rematch proved he could adapt and crush his foe. His loss to Bowe gave him the respect he didn't have in winning. The Real Deal became the Warrior! His rematch over Moorer proved his so-called heart attack played a role in the 1st fight. Cause he straight whooped Moorer's behind in the rematch. His win over Tyson made it known, that he wasn't washed up just yet. By the time he fought Byrd- torn rotator cuff, he was past his best. 1984-1998 Past 1999 just another decent HW who didn't know when to call it quits. A few on the list could beat him, but out of the best of 2 or 3, Evander would split wins.
See, that's my greatest bugaboo with Holy - the mythology around him being some kind of "giant killer" ...all simply because he started at cruiser (where he was himself a giant). Evander Holyfield - "small" heavyweight?
