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

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by ikrasevic, Jul 26, 2025 at 7:15 AM.

  1. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Barrios is a bandit robber - Psalm 144:1 Full Member

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    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.
     
  2. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    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.
     
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  3. Jakub79

    Jakub79 Active Member Full Member

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

    ikrasevic Who is ready to suffer for Christ (the truth)? Full Member

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    Who in Tyson's reign 1986-89 "better scalp" than 1992 Bowe or 1992 Holyfield?
    Tucker, Smith, Berbick, Bruno, Tubbs, 1988 Spinks, 1988 Holmes, Thomas, Bruno...?
     
  5. Jakub79

    Jakub79 Active Member Full Member

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    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?
     
  6. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Barrios is a bandit robber - Psalm 144:1 Full Member

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    He has beaten better boxers yes.
     
  7. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    ? My post was about whom he did beat, not whom he would have beaten. I think that was quite clear.
     
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  8. Jakub79

    Jakub79 Active Member Full Member

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    Who of them do you think was better than Foreman?
     
  9. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic Who is ready to suffer for Christ (the truth)? Full Member

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    OK - then it's my fault.
    I have a poor knowledge of the English language and without google translator we wouldn't communicate :)
     
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  10. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Barrios is a bandit robber - Psalm 144:1 Full Member

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    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.
     
  11. Jakub79

    Jakub79 Active Member Full Member

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    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?
     
  12. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    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.
     
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  13. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Barrios is a bandit robber - Psalm 144:1 Full Member

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    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.
     
  14. Jakub79

    Jakub79 Active Member Full Member

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    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.
     
  15. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic Who is ready to suffer for Christ (the truth)? Full Member

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    Ok - I think I understand the problem (confusion) now.
    Need to SEPARATE the fight Holyfield Vs. Bowe 1 of Bowe's career.
    That was peak Bowe (IMHO and peak Holyfield).
    It is widely known that Bowe is a boxer who had a shorter prime even than Tyson :)
    Therefore, we should not observe the fight Holyfield Vs. Bowe 1 through the lens of Bowe's career.
     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2025 at 2:30 AM
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