Mayweather was more skilled. Holyfield fought better fighters at their peak imo. But Mayweather won all his bouts. I picked Holy to be contrarian but I'm not mad.
I agree with the sentiment that's been put forward so far, I have to say Mayweather but I hate to do it.
Holyfield has better wins. If Mayweather fought the caliber of opponents Holyfield did, he would have notched up several losses. I pick Evan Fields.
Speaking for myself, I probably would rate Mayweather just in or near the all-time top 15 & Holy just in or near the all-time top 20. I think they're close enough that it could be argued either way.
Holyfield was far more watchable, fought better fighters, showed more heart, wasn’t a Prima Donna when it came to negotiations etc… Mayweather retired undefeated. Holyfield for me.
nah. There’s no way that Riddick Bowe, Michael Moorer, old Foreman and post prison Tyson are better pound for pound than Canelo Alvarez, Manny Pac, Miguel Cotto and a few of those other guys.
I would argue that in terms of actual ability, 93 Bowe is a more dangerous heavyweight than 2015 Pac is a welterweight. Canelo was nowhere near the fighter he later became although he wasn't exactly green. I would argue that the Qawi win is just as good as the Canelo win despite Canelo ranking much higher on an all time p4p list because the circumstances of the win.
Although Holyfield lost a bunch of times, i take into consideration that he fought everyone. Fighting Bowe 3 times and Lewis twice, plus Mercer, Moorer x 2, Dokes, Qawi, Foreman etc. is no easy feat. Mayweather severely damaged the sport with his delaying tactics. I can't give Mayweather's unbeaten record that much credence.
The 3 names you listed for May were all either pre- or post-prime themselves. Regardless, I think you also have to factor in that Holy was often conceding (sometimes quite substantial) weight disadvantages to his opponents.