1971 Muhammad Ali vs 1991 Evander Holyfield

Ali wide UD, Holyfield doesnt have the punch power or swarming to deal with Ali's pure boxing. And Holyfield's specialty, brawling, would be useless against Ali, who would stay faaar away.

 

In 71? Tough matchup, I wouldn't be surprised if either took a close decision. Holyfied isn't getting stopped, neither is Ali that much is set in stone. Don't forget Ali would be taking rounds off, he was feeling the pace as early as the 4th round against Frazier and Holyfield is one of the few heavyweights that comes close to his stamina and work ethic.

A fast start from Ali probably sees him up through 6, but I fully expect Holy take most of the middle rounds as Ali begins to tire and feel the pace, taking rounds off in between. Of course Ali would have his moments in the middle rounds and a late rally goes without saying, making the championship rounds very interesting!

Holy' best chance is to nick a couple of early rounds while Ali does what Ali does before he slows down, work hard in the middle and hope he can hold his own when Ali rallies. Notice how I'm having to fight Holyfield's case here, because Ali is just Ali, I wouldn't begrudge anyone for favouring him against Holy, but in my opinion FOTC Ali vs prime Holyfield is a genuine 50-50 fight

 

please! Evander was a win one, lose one type fighter in the heavyweight ranks. KO mag's assessment of Evander as 3rd best heavy ever was pure bullSh*t and proved it every time he ran up against any top rank heavy on the way UP - Bowe, Moorer, Lewis

Ali would out punch and outscore the heavyweight impersonator for a good strong points lead. Evander needs to pick easier fights, say maybe a 1980 - 1983 Mike Weaver

 

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Holyfield is 2-1-4 against Bowe/Moorer/Lewis, actually 2-5 because the Lewis draw was complete BS and needed the Fan man to get a razor thin decision against Bowe II.

Evan Fields entire reputation comes from stopping a washed up Tyson impersonator twice.

Holyfield was never the "Man" in the Heavyweights, way to inconsistent most likely due to extreme PED abuse.

Also at Heavyweight Holyfield was never a conditioning monster, he usually huffed and puffed after the 8th, don't let the silly dancing on his toes fool you.

 

Foreman hit Ali harder than he hit Holy even though Ali blocked most of Georges shots and Holy was getting hit way more.

 

Ali on the slide stopped a prime undefeated Foreman....

Prime Holyfield went 12 with Grandpa Foreman.....

Holyfield was never a "smart" fighter, his forte was to get the other guy to brawl, when that did not work out he usually struggled or lost, see Moorer I , Mercer until he ran out of gas, both Lewis fights , Bean , ancient Holmes, etc.

Ali will force Holyfield to box and Holy aint out boxing Ali.

 

A tall quick pure boxer is the worst possible style matchup for evander. Evander was never that comfortable attacking and he wasn't a swarmer.
Holyfield would really mess you up if you attacked him but he didn't like to chase his opponent around.
Look at the Holmes fight.

Ali wins a comfortable decision.

 

Ali UD in a 11 rounds to 4 fight, Evander never saw that speed