A what if Scenario. If Holyfield had beaten John Ruiz in their terrible third fight, beaten Kirk Johnson in a defence, then faced RJJ? Anyway possible you see The Real Deal beating Jones? Or even taking him close? Does Roy have anything to fear from his man here!?
If Holy had fought Roy he would have had the leverage and star power to make sure the ref was not instructed to immediately jump in anytime there was a clinch like the RJJ - Ruiz fight, still believe Roy would have had too much speed and reflexes for a very faded Evander but would have been closer than the Ruiz fight.
Evander was pretty injured those years 2003-2005....jones wins,easily...the holy who fought ruiz and rahman may still have had enough
Honestly I don't know if he gets passed Johnson. Jones is likely still the winner but we are all winners if it rids the timeline of Ruiz
ugly fight whoever wins. I think faded Holy is still a tougher fight for RJJ than Ruiz. Ruiz didn't know how to be aggressive, fought such a spoiler style. Holy wouldn't have feared RJJ's power at all, had the skills, I think he could squeeze a narrow, possibly controversial, decision based on punching output and aggressiveness. Could def see RJJ winning based on effectiveness and ring generalship too though.
Him holding the belt was more a hostage situation then anything, I don’t think a single person who has watched Ruiz could look at him perform and say. “Well I’m a fan, can’t wait till he fights again”
