Evander Holyfield vs Lennox Lewis 1993

It could be a draw fight, not a "draw" fight a few years later.

 

Lewis wins first fight in decision upset. Holyfield wins the rematch via KO.

 

Evander knows too much for Lennox at this stage - Holyfield clearly outpoints Lennox.

Lennox joins up with Emmanuel Steward and evens the score one year later beating Evander clearly over the distance.

 

Didn't holyfield get himself on a downward slide after the second Bowe fight??
I am sorry but that Evander with heart trouble who could not whip Michael moorer in their first fight should not be favored to beat Lewis IMO.

However, by looking at the title and ignoring the post, I am assuming this is pitting the two against each other when one was still at his peak and the other had skills that were not as good as what they would be.

Now here i believe evander beat lewis down.

 

1993 Holyfield who outpointed Bowe beats the ‘93 Lewis who struggled past Frank Bruno. A bit too early for Lewis at this stage. Holyfield had himself to blame for the Bowe defeat, looking to prove he could outfight Bowe and ignoring Duva and Benton’s pleads to box as he had in the opening round.

 

The real question is would a prime Holyfield beat any version of Lennox Lewis ? Holyfield run Lewis pretty close in their 2nd fight which was Lewis's prime, and Holyfield was on downslide as straight after that fight he had 3 abysmal fights vs John Ruiz.

 

Lewis by stoppage. He was flawed but stronger then Evander, who in 93 would trade with Lewis all night long. Evander lacked the firepower to crack Lewis's chin. At the same time Lewis's right hand and uppercut could hurt Holyfield.

 

I wouldn't say Holyfield lacked the firepower to crack Lewis's chin, if they were going back and forth in a toe to toe slugfest. More than likely it would be Lewis's chin and stamina that would fold first. Remember Holyfield did fight an intelligent vs Bowe in 93 by staying on the outside.

Also in Holyfield's actual fight vs Lewis when they fought for the 2nd time when Holyfield was faded, Holyfield was able to rock Lewis a few times with left hooks, and when Lewis hit Holyfield with his right uppercut and occasional right hand Holyfield was never troubled at all.

Keep in mind Lewis was in his prime then and was exhausted by the end, can you imagine a younger Holyfield in there with a bit more workrate ? Holyfield basically lost the 2nd fight, because he gave away most of the rounds after 7 because of his low output. Holyfield was actually troubling Lewis with the jab and Lewis did not look impressive at all. Lewis never even dropped or looked close to troubling Holyfield, yet Ruiz fought the same version of Holyfield, and dropped him heavily and came close to stopping him in one of their fights.

 

This. Holy was peaking, while Lewis was still a rough cut.

 

Was Lewis really that more raw than Bowe though? Despite Bowe having 10 more fights, the competition level between him and LL was comparable. Unless you just think Bowe was better than Lewis or a tougher style for Holy?

 

Imo Bowe at that stage was a more complete fighter than Lewis. Of course, Lennox ended up becoming a much better fighter and ATG not too long after.

 

I went with Evander by decision.

 

Holyfield decision

 

Holyfield via UD, but I wouldn't rule out a Mid-to-Late Stoppage either. Lewis was still green, inexperienced & was just coming into his prime. He wouldn't be ready for a seasoned veteran like Holyfield (Yes, he was already a vet by 93 believe it or not). Old Holyfield nearly beat Prime Lewis in their 2nd fight & had him very stunned in the 7th round, wobbling him a few times aswell. Prime Holyfield would've beat that Prime Lewis.