Does the classic forum agree that pinning down Evander's "Prime" is futile?

As a person who grew up watching him most avidly, I will say that I liked him best from about 1988-1991.

 

I think Holyfield's physical prime spans from 1987-1993, with 1987 (Qawi II) being his absolute peak year at Cruiserweight and 1993 (Bowe II) being his best peak year at Heavyweight. I think it seems that he may have been a user of HGH from 1994 onwards, indeed the heart irregularities linked to HGH and the "Evan Fields" scandal are suspicious, however there is no definitive proof and it's almost impossible even now to test for HGH. Currently i rate Evander #1 ATG Cruiserweight and #6 ATG Heavyweight and will not hold the possible PED use against his legacy unless he openly admits to it or is proven guilty beyond a doubt, such a senario would only effect his Heavyweight legacy though, as i'm certain he was all natural at Cruiser.

I agree.

 

How can anyone look at this beautiful, complete boxer who demolishes the most dangerous man in the world, and say he wasn't in his prime?

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjZDXErFo2M[/ame]

Past his peak perhaps, but i think he never fought a more commanding fight than he did against Tyson, on both occasions.

 

Evander Holyfield: about 1988.

Evans Fields: hard to say, but his best performances were in 1993 and 1996, so I'll say 1993-1996. Evan Fields was very inconsistent in this period, as always.

 

Because Tyson was far from his

 

He was still better than a 1995 Ray Mercer, yet Fields looked much better against Tyson. Some boxers only bring their best game to a fight on a few occasions in their career; Evan Fields was one of these boxers.

 

Why? Not really. Was Tyson as determined and effective against Holyfield as Tyson was over 10 rounds? Tyson pretty much became a punching bag after round 5 when he get knocked down.

 

I won't touch the PED aspect because they are far too many variables.

But yes, pinning down his prime is somewhat futile. I say somewhat because... the Holyfield that fought and beat Tyson might have been the best Holyfield to do so. Surely he was past his physical prime, but he was stronger, hit harder, and smarter. In a sense, this Holyfield might have more trouble with other fighters in the early part of his career like Foreman. While he's past his best; there's ultimate advantages to each different "versions" of the man.

Around the 2000's and onward Holyfield was past it. Stamina issues and just slowed down a bit.

Similarly I get the feeling when pinning Mayweather's prime. Not at his physical best but much smarter now, and more adaptive.

 

People forget Tyson was like a 25-1 favorite against Holyfield. I think the odds closed around 6-1 though. It was a huge upset. And Holyfield fought well. Of course, Tyson-anatics that believe 88 Tyson is a God push for Tyson being more past it to dismiss this. Truth is he was closer of the two to each physical prime. Maybe Tyson needed his physical skills more do to his limitations in size and reach... either way it gets over-stated as we both know. Which makes the whole "Where's Evander's prime" a tough question to answer. Because the different Holyfield's are just that... different.

 

Crusierweight was his Prime

 

Because a few years earlier, he was even more beautiful and complete.

 

Probably because they're only "links."

If/when it's actually definitively proven, then there can be much more meaningful discussion on it.

 

His neck was freaky-looking and he was actually appeared bigger than Tyson which is what makes me believe he was possibly on something but nonetheless he wasn't proven to be on anything plus he's a great fighter and definetly a future HOF'er. Even if he was it should put question over his legacy but not take away from all he has achieved unless it was proven he was taking something in every fight.

TBH I still think Wladimir is still in his prime because he's the best he's ever been now. Well since he's gotten with Steward he's been getting better.

I agree. He was prime during the later part of his cruiserweight days onto his 2nd fight with Bowe.

 

I think that Holyfield taking some kinda steroid started to effect his performances, apparently shoulder problems and hepatitis are consistent with people who take steroids, that was clearly a problem in the Moorer fight, it was clearly a problem in the Bowe 3 fight.


I also think Holyfield's win over Tyson was a smoke screen, a champion pulling out one last great performance, because his displays against Lewis and Bean were not particularly impressive, sure he beat Moorer, but Moorer was damaged goods after the Foreman loss imo, that KO took something away from him physically imo, look how hard Botha pushed him.

 

That's probably the hardest he's hit. But he has been faster and had used better footwork on better occasions.
As far as strength and power goes, this was his peak.
Holyfield's probably one of my favorite fighters of all time, definetely top 3, I also like his attitude outside of the ring, he's not an ******* like Holmes, a monster like Tyson, or a trash talker like Ali.