How much is Bowe's win over Holyfield worth in historical terms?

What's wrong with Larry Holmes and Foreman going the distance? Holyfield is a 6ft1 guy who was an arm puncher and south at the scales by 20lbs against LH and 45-55lbs (I forget) against GF whilst both were celebrated for there defence in and savvy in there comebacks, both were very hard to stop... he won both bout's he looked bad against LH because he went to the ropes and couldn't do S not GF, just lacked pop to finish him he hurt him multiple times and won rounds he took off.

 

I think both Holyfield and especially Bowe are vastly overrated because their styles meshed to make exciting fights. They were the heavyweight versions of Gatti and Ward. But individually Bowe was an extremely flawed fighter with a short trip through some of the non-punchers in the division and Holyfield ran hot and cold depending on how his medication was adjusted.

Tyson's reign of terror from 86-89 was far more impressive than anything the two did... combined.

 

But has Joe Louis ever won anyone better than George Foreman?

 

Of course, that's why I'm surprised you're using these criteria while also citing statistics about the IBHOF. Induction into the Hall of Fame covers the entirety of a player's career. Sometimes it has nothing to do with current form. For example, IBHOF inductee Michael Spinks might have been easier for Tyson to beat than Tony Tucker or Donovan Ruddock, who will likely never make it. So what was your reason for citing these statistics? Did you present it as a curiosity or as a criterion?

 

He has beaten better boxers yes.

 

? My post was about whom he did beat, not whom he would have beaten. I think that was quite clear.

 

Who of them do you think was better than Foreman?

 

Would you define better? He beat more skilled fighters? bigger fighters? H2H guys who’d probably have good odds for beating Foreman? - did he beat historically better fighters according to most top 50 HWs or whatever? - eh no.

 

I don't really understand... What I mean is, I don't see any fighter Joe Louis has defeated who was better than George Foreman. Joe Louis simply doesn't have a scalp like that, in my opinion... that doesn't change the fact that I consider Joe Louis the #1 or #2 heavyweight ever, and Jimmy Young, who beat Foreman, should have gotten a decision over Ali and maybe Norton, and thus had three great ATGs under his belt. He's still not in the top 20.
However, I'm still curious: which opponent Joe Louis defeated was better than George Foreman in 1977?

 

Bowe seemingly had tremendous ability, but his career was really a let down despite contaning one of the classic trilogies. Would have been fantastic to see him against Tyson and Lewis as well as just more contenders. Hell, I'd definitely be up for a fourth against Holy in 1997 if Bowe had kept on course.

 

Do you mean historically? H2H? Skill? You’re asking for a better fighter then Foreman do you mean someone who could beat Foreman or a guy who is more accomplished? - I can name more skilled fighters, H2H guys who’d beat him but none historically better in “greatness” terms.

 

Once again:
I believe Joe Louis never beat anyone as good as George Foreman. Overall, both head-to-head and on resume. Of course, that's just my opinion.