The one who: -vs Dokes - vs. Bowe 1 - vs. Bowe 2 - vs. Tyson 1 -vs Moorer 2 I pick Bowe 2. I think that was the very best version of Holyfield. He was still young, pretty quick, had good endurance etc.
I won’t choose anyone particular fight but I think 1989-1992 was probably the range when Evander was at his best.
Personally the best version of Holyfield was the Lt. HEAVY / Cruiserweight version. But Bowe 2 fight was his best at heavy against a dangerously opponent.
I would say all the ones you listed would certainly qualify: vs. Dokes-Holyfield was young coming into the heavyweights and he got a whopper of a test against a powerful, crafty veteran of the heavyweight division and still came out on top. He proved he was dangerous as a heavyweight. vs. Bowe 1-Although Holyfield lost, his reflexes were their sharpest that night, and his punching power was at its best. Holyfield ultimately got dominated, but fought a heroic fight. Bowe 2-He gave one of his best "boxing" performances ever. He handily outmanuevered, outjabbed, and outsped Bowe. The judge who voted a draw was a bonehead. Tyson 1-He outmuscled one of the most invincible fighters of all time, easily outboxing and outslugging him, and controlling the entire fight. Holyfield made the fight look easy. Moorer 2-This fight is most impressive to me because of Holyfield's age. He outslugged the harder-hitting Moorer, and won handily.
The 2nd Bowe fight was the best Holyfield I saw. He still had quick hands and could throw flurries but they had more weight behind them. From 89-92 he fought like a middleweight. The didnt sit down on his shots enough. Evander a few times wore himself out punching naturally larger fighters. He couldn't hurt Bowe. Had trouble Cooper and even a Big George had him holding on down the stretch.
Bowe 1. Its just that Bowe also at his best that night and had 30 pound weight adventage. In long stretch of the fight , Holyfield simply felt the impact of that 30 pound differences.
Bowe (II) represents Holyfield's best performance and his peak, in my opinion. It also marked the beginning of the fluctuations in his fitness/health levels. That he was able to gather himself for the two Tyson fights - following a low couple of years - and then, once again, steel himself for two goes with Lewis, is testament to the man's remarkable will.
I say Holy's prime was '86 to '97. I think Holyfield has too many good wins after '94/ Mercer, Tyson, and Moorer. I might even extend Holyfield's peak into the 2000s, but....