Could any version of Holyfield defeat the Toney of 2003?

Nah, Lewis was definitely worse for him.

 

The question is more like "which HW versions of Holyfield does not beat 2003 Toney?"

Toney's best division was 168. He had a terrific 2003, beating a tough but ideal stylistic opponent in Jirov, and then a 41 year old Holyfield who had been in more wars than Napoleon. Toney was able to use his terrific skills and toughness to have some more success at HW, but those guys were a long way from a younger Holyfield.

Holyfield wasn't just bigger than Toney, but also wasn't the ideal style matchup for Toney. He had pretty good movement, which was never Toney's strength even in his younger days.

 

I think Evander is greater, but Toney's style might be trouble for Holyfield.

 

I think Holyfield is a prime example of a fighter whose legacy was tarnished by fighting on way past his peak. Holyfield was so good that he was still really capable even when shot to bits. If he’d of retired after the 2nd Moorer fight, he’d be a shoe in for a top 3 all time place.

 

Absolutely. In fact, the Ring ranked him as #3 HW only behind Ali and Loius in 1998.

After that, it was mainly downfall. Loss to Lewis. Loss to Ruiz. Loss ty Byrd. Loss to Toney etc. etc. Surely he scored good wins over Ruiz, Rahman, Oquendo bit it didn't help him much

 

LOL!
Tszyu beats any version of Chavez.
Norris beats Leonard
Joppy beats Duran

Who's the fighter that knocked Hopkins out of the ring and retired him????
That fighter will beat any version of Hopkins.

LOL!

 

Byrd didn't win a single fight after his victory over an ancient injured Holyfield.
Gift after gift in everyone of Byrds fights after Holyfield.
Toney would have beaten that version of Byrd handily.

I do however believe that Byrd pre-Ibeabuchi, clearly decisions Toney. That Byrd was to slick and just as quick as Toney.

 

As much as i like the toney of 2003 he fought the worst version of holy (2003-2006). Hell the 2008 holy of valuev does much better...the 1988-1993 holy overwhelms toney...1994-1995 holy wins..the rejuvenated 1996-1999 holy wins...the 2000-2001 holy shades it just

 

Holyfield was ring worn and coming off a long layoff and injury, but I agree with you, that was Toney's first fight as a Heavyweight. Toney coming off his cruiserweight win vs Jirov and all of a sudden within a matter of 6 months Toney goes from weighing 190 lbs vs Jirov to weighing 217 vs Holyfield.
A 27 lbs jump in 6 months and his first fight at Heavyweight, yeah I do think Holyfield took Toney lightly in the sense he had no idea what Toney brought to the table as a Heavyweight.
Had no idea he could take a heavyweight punch.
If you look at the fight, Holyfield started out fast trying to get Toney out of there the first 3 rounds. He kind of shot his load those rounds. He was really active and Toney didn't go anywhere. Holyfield had no idea Toney would be able to take that type of rough housing from a Heavyweight.
Looking back at it now, had even that version of Holyfield been aware of what subsequent fights Toney showed he could do as at Heavyweight, I mean he was able to take the bombs of Samuel Peter and hold his own even fighting on the ropes against him.
I think if Holyfield been prevy what Toney could bring to the table at heavyweight, he'd have gameplanned a lot different than he did. As it was, he shot his load and it was all down hill from there, Toney took over. Holyfield with a bum left shoulder unable to establish any kind of a jab on Toney.
A healthy Holyfield even out of prime always worked off his jab, but he couldn't do that during that time of his career he was losing to Byrd and Toney.
The lack of a jab for Holyfield made it easy on knowledgeable techs like Byrd and Toney.

 

Oh behave yourself...Jeezus!

 

Great case closing answer; I'd throw in very ring worn and battle weary to compound your answer...but yes that hits the nail on the head, and great parallel and reply.

 

You're right; at 190 that would have been his 2nd toughest win.

 

Yeah, Qawi and Toney don't fight much alike at all. Both skilled on the inside and counterpunching, but one was a pressure fighter, the other was best when not having to go after his opponent.