Why didn't the Klitschko bros mix it up with the American heavies?

Easiest answer is probably Don King.

 

Tyson- His last few years was about staying out of trouble and doing enough to get the Lewis cash out. After that, Vitali vs Tyson almost happened, but Tyson was injured and unexpectedly knocked out by Williams who got the title shot instead.

Holyfield-He was old and injured after Bird and Toney, aiming for more vulnerable belt holders in Sultan and Valuev for his comeback. Had he won those, a unification bout with Wlad could have happened.

Toney-He moved to HW when Vitalit was on his way out for retirement 1 and Wlad was rebuilding so he didn't aim for them till later. He challenged Peter for WBC contender status twice and lost. He then had a no contest with Rahman for the North American WBO title, who got to challenge Wlad on short notice as a sub for Povetkin due to his higher IBF rating and status as minor WBO titlist. Had Toney beat Rahman he could have got that shot.

Peter won the WBC title from Oleg and got the Vitali fight when he returned. Without a belt or good promotion, Toney fell out of the ratings after a bad showing against Oquendo while Wlad was seeking unification fights. Its was then Toney ran his mouth to no avail, and returned to cruiser.

Roy Jones- He fought one fight at heavyweight against a hand picked belt holder to say he did it. Shopped around, the idea of fighting Sanders or Byrd wasn't appealing so he vacated and returned to light heavy. Fair play.

 

Yeah, King is a nice quick answer. Another is that none of them deserved it.

Holyfield didn't really do a thing after Ruiz and Rahman.

Tyson lost to McBride, who subsequently got the Vitali fight.

Toney's only notable win at HW was before the Klitschko's rise to prominence. He was normally in fights he lost when he could've fought the Klits.

Roy had one fight, and it was before the Klitschko's would've fought him anyway.

 

George and Lance pretty much called it, Tyson and Holyfield were past it, Toney's trajectory just didn't cross theirs and Roy didn't want any part of that.

 

in Vitalis defense he was trying to get Mike in the ring, but Mike lost to Danny William's...so vitali fought him instead.

you're right about Toney, I think he schools either of them ....neither wanted no part of him.

idk about Jones and Holy though....Jones wasnt looking to mix it up with no dangerous heavies, and Holyfield had heart problems, he even had to retire briefly due to them

 

it was Danny William's.
come on man!

 

Vitali did not want any part of Toney.

 

I'm curious as to how you think Toney schools the Klit bros? He didn't have much to trouble them imo

 

skill wise he is superior to Vitali who had difficulty with defensive master Chris Byrd, although Byrd was probably at his best at the time..., at HW Toney was on the downside, but he still had a very tough and unique style for HWs to deal with. I think he would have befuddled Vitali, rope a doped the hell out of him

As for Wlad, he had the tools and skills to beat Toney for sure, but not the mental toughness....Toney would have to take some punishment for a few rounds like Brewster did, but eventually he would break Wlad mentally

 

Toney got befuddled by Samuel Peter, completely shut out in the rematch when Peter actually used his reach and jab.

Vitali and Wlad would cruise against him. Easy points win. But not as easy as it is to make outrageous predictions in fantasy fights.

 

Probably because the taxes in the U.S are very high compared to other venues. The Klitchko's were years after a peak Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr only stopped by at heavyweight for the John Ruiz fight, then back to light heavyweight.. And James Toney and Evander Holyfield were nearing the twilight of their careers, they had pride, everything is not just about money. Sometimes fighters know their limitations, and they fight for pride and prestige, if they do not have it anymore, why risk legacy for a blood thirsty promoter or a few fans that care to see a beating.

 

I love it how these past-it fighters suddenly become huge threats. Vitali absolutely mutilated Sam Peter in their fight and Wlad beat him twice. But now they both lose to Toney who was beaten by Peter? Holyfield wanted a fight with the Klitschkos but let's be realistic and honest for a second - he was beyond old. I would have given them little credit for beating a shadow of Holy. Besides, there is this:

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That was the fat version and I remember Toney befuddling Peter in their first fight which he should have won.Anyway, Styles make fights. Toney has a difficult style for Vitali, he would give him problems. Vitali might win but he would not look good at all. Vitali always had issues with slicksters.

 

These fighters were either out of their natural weight category, shot, or both.
None of them would give either K brother much trouble.
Maybe all of them would be brutalized.