Tyson and Holyfield are the best fighters Holmes fought if you count Tyson as the 2nd part of his career, but the likes of Mercer and McCall are at the same type of level as some of 80s contenders Holmes fought. But overall it's his 1st career he fought Norton, Shavers, Witherspoon, M.Spinks, Cooney, Weaver, Berbick, Williams, Snipes, that's a tough list of contenders i don't care what anyone says.