Does Holyfield go 4-0 with the heavies in this photo with him?

Pick one you fence sitter! - please

 

There's 2 ATG Heavyweights in that photo along with 2 other men with the capacity of giving tough fights to probably every single Heavyweight that has ever lived

The most logical response is: We don't know, on the right night at the right time and with the right gameplan Holyfield could either go 4-0 or 0-4.

 

Good point, Ali was able to hurt/stun Foreman from the start of the fight, but in 39 rounds i don't remember Ali ever being able to slow Norton down with a punch. Against Foreman Ali had an open target (GF threw wide punches while he stood square). Norton didn't give Ali an easy target and Norton's jab and hook were particularly effective.

I think EH also would pressure Ali more than Ali wanted to be pressured from all ranges. EH could box on the outside and fight inside, he wouldn't have to get inside to be effective. EH and Norton didn't fight alike, but the principle would be the same. Both would be punching when Ali punched and both would be busier than Ali preferred. If Ali went to his default, which was stalling and holding...pulling EH's head down or getting his head close to EH's head would probably not be a good idea.

 

Holyfield’s front-foot pressure does not compare to Norton’s (which was completely ineffective whenever Ali got on his bike) and Norton’s guard made it hard to land a right hand on him, Holyfield was eating all kinds of right hands from Holmes before Holmes gassed and Holmes dealt with him just fine in the clinches until late rounds.

I don’t see how anyone can watch Holmes vs Holyfield and favour Holyfield.

 

I'm a really big fan of Floyd's but I think Holyfield might be one of the worst stylistic matches for him. Yes he is quick and hits hard, but he has nothing to 'deter' Holyfield who would, in my opinion, simply walk him down and beat him up. Floyd would catch Evander flush several times until the end comes. Many might argue they are both smaller men 'coming up', but Evander is a bigger, more explosive man with a cartoon acme anvil chin on his best day, a high workrate, and ability to close distance and cut of the ring. I actually give Floyd a chance in many fantasy head to heads but not this one. I just feel Holyfield beats him up from the first bell.

 

Having spoken to some of Floyd's exes, I can tell you, it is very unlikely he would be too small for anyone.

 

I think he could do it.

 

I think 1 and 3 maybe 2-2. I believe Norton would beat him but that would be a good matchup.

 

Ali stopped, Liston, Foreman ,Frazier, Lyle ,etc,,,,he'd stop Holyfield

 

Ali and Frazier beat him handily.
The Norton fight is 50/50.
He probably gets by Patterson.

 

That is a definite no.

 

Interesting breakdown.

But I think that Holyfield would struggle with Ali's volume punching which is something he wouldn't have seen. I also think that Ali could definitely hurt him as the fight goes on, the punches would add up and Holyfield's defense wasn't impenetrable. I don't think he's awkward enough to make Ali miss consistently. Also, if Ali was able to get away with head-pulling with Frazier and Foreman I don't think he would have much of an issue doing that with Holyfield. Both guys were appreciably stronger.

I think Ali (up to '74) stops him in the late rounds or wins a comfortable-ish decision. After '74 I thinks its anybody's fight. I say this as someone who isn't so fond of Ali.

Just my two cents

 

I think all on their best nights he goes 2-2 at best, with the wins being Norton and Patterson.
He could conceivably go 0-4.
Then again if we take the later versions of Frazier and Ali he could even go 4-0.
Tricky