So if Wlad Klitschko (2003) had fought Holyfield (his best version) , would he have still lost? Klitschko, still powerful but vulnerable against the Real Deal. Is this a winnable fight at all for the K Brother?
Not sure. That Version of Wlad tended to get more physical with his opponents ( which is what manny steward later adjusted to prevent him from getting into dangerous exchanges .) Evander was easily lured into physical brawls with bigger men. Wlad would have had a huge size advantage and lots of power and strength. Sure there’s a risk that Wlad’s chin could have been dented in such a fight but Holyfield ( who could punch ) wasn’t a huge banger. Of course it’s possible that through a duration of rounds and an accumulation of shots Klitschko might have gotten warn down and stopped. But I can’t see Holyfield doing to Wlad what Sanders did.
I can see Holyfield getting a ko win but not an early one,nor perhaps an easy one. Holyfield would have to take a few hard shots along the way, but I think his will to win gets him the fight. A swollen faced Holyfield stops him in around 8 rounds imo.
It wouldn't be a repeat of the Sanders fight because Holyfield isn't as big or hard hitting as Sanders. But I could see Holyfield winning a battle of attrition and stopping Wladimir late on in the fight after Wladimir tires out. Wladimir at this point in his career was more aggressive and didn't pace himself as well. This would suit Holyfield more than the cautious grab and jab style of Wladimir later on in his career.
Holyfield isn't a southpaw so he could not confuse Wlad with those big left hands. I do expect Holyfield to win a hard fought decision or maybe a late stoppage if Wlad gets tired. I can't see Holyfield destroying Wlad like Sanders did. Sanders was an unusual fighter.
If you're talking about Wlad in 2003 fighting Evander in 2003, it's a clear easy dub for Klitschko. If you mean a prime Holyfield from a decade prior, then, other way around.
Great bout, Holyfield probably gets into a dog fight when he shouldn’t and just starts popping him with combos in a battle of attrition, battle of the Uzi and a 50cal… I would be incredibly unsurprised if Wlad took him out when he got careless, aggressive or opened up too much in the rematch EH likely outboxes Klitschko… prime for prime boring bout I pick WK.
That version of Wlad was more keen to exchange with guys. Holyfield was always keen to exchange. To my mind Wlad's size and technical ability would have overcome Holyfield's speed edge and grittier fighting style. Let's not forget that Bowe (who is much behind Wlad technically) and Foreman (who is much slower than Wlad) both managed to land a considerable amount of leather on Holyfield so that he felt it. If they were the same size I'd go Holyfield but they are not, so I pick Wlad.
Comparing Wladimir to Foreman and Bowe seems a bit puzzling to me. Bowe had one of the best workrates of all time for a Super Heavyweight so he could sustain a battle vs Holyfield. Foreman had an iron chin so he could walkthrough Holyfield's punches and sometimes get off his own punches. Wladimir does not have anywhere close to Bowe's workrate and he certainly doesn't have Foreman’s chin. Wladimir was gassed after 4 rounds vs Brewster when he let his hands and this is the version of Wladimir that we are on about BTW. The more aggressive Wladimir who didn't pace himself as well and didn't have his more cautious jab and grab style yet. If Wladimir tries to fight aggressively ve Holyfield he will tire out and be taken out in the later rounds he doesn't have the stamina or durability for it.
Holyfield but it’d be a bloody bout, this version of Wlad wasn’t afraid to let his hands go. I know it was a better decision but I kind of wish Wlad stayed how he used to be, or at least retained some of his past mannerisms, he was such a destructive fighter back then.
I which he kept his style under Steward but developed a bit more a inside game. But I do think he always had this slight fear after Sanders did that to him but it sort of made him a better fighter.