Evander Holyfield 1988-1993 vs Wladimir Kiltschko 2007-2012 who takes it in a best of 3?

Not to defend Holyfield, because I don't accept cheating in any way and certainly think less of him knowing he cheated, but at least he wasn't some huge guy bulking up into an even bigger monster, he was a relatively small heavyweight who had fought at Cruiserweight.

 

Fleet footed , rolls with the punches , moves his head faster than WK can throw a jab or clinch.. Quick counter attacker , closes the gap greater than anybody WK ever met.
Multi combination puncher. Much tougher mentally and physically.
Can fight for 3mins a round. WK cannot.
Club level Jennings took 4 rounds from WK just by moving his feet.
Holy folds him like an omelette.

 

Are there any great fighters or world level fighters not in Wlad's era you think Wlad could beat? Like any at all.

 

Voted for Holy 2-1 but changing my vote to Wlad 3-0, cause I’ve had it with your whiny bitching and obsessive hatred. How much time do you have on your hands to obsessively hate on a man you’ve never met over the course of two decades? My God you need a ****ing life.

 

I don't know if I am in the minority with this one but I recall Lewis not being at his sharpest 2nd fight with Holyfield. First fight he was and he was getting into not many aggressive exchanges not very often and keeping Holyfield range more and that was actually when Lewis was having most success with Holyfield.

 

Holyfield was not at his sharpest in the 1st fight either.

Holyfield did things differently in the 2nd fight he used his jab more which gave Lewis trouble and also had more energy levels overall.

 

I agree Holyfield was more aggressive and effective 2nd fight that's fair to point out. I might be misremembering a little bit but I thought it was mainly because Lewis allowed him inside more by being less active with jab.

 

Meanwhile in real life

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Lewis was less effective with his jab because Holyfield was better with his jab and had more energy levels overall as I said.

Lewis has often had issues with fighters who jab with him Bruno and Mercer out jabbed Lewis and Holyfield kept jabbing at Lewis's chest throwing him off his rhythm.

Holyfield said in an interview he was under par in the 1st fight and felt like quitting but its only because he didn't want people at his kids school saying that their daddy was a quitter that he carried on.

 

David Haye and Eddie Chambers and Chris Byrd were very slick and Wlad left them punching air and his footwork for such a big man constantly put them in a uncomfortable position were they would have to leap in and leave themselves off balance.

Even though Haye did have some success and won a couple rounds or so.

 

Every super-heavyweight Holyfield fought was "enhanced" .So it's two peas in a pod here. cruiserweight and super-heavyweight enhanced. same ol' same ol'. prime ? Holyfield. would blow him up.

How many times has Wlad been stretched?

 

I can't gamble against prime Holyfield 3 times in a row. Wlad does have the physical advantages and style. But I give Wlad winning a decision twice and Holyfield winning a decision once.

 

Tough matchup because it’s two very different styles and eras clashing, both at their peak strengths.

Wlad between 2007–2012 was a master of controlling fights safely. Jab, clinch, lean, repeat. He kept everything at his distance and forced opponents into slow, controlled fights where he could pick his spots without taking risks. Against most heavyweights of his era, it was brutally effective, no one could get through without walking into straight shots and clinches.

But Holyfield 1988–1993 isn’t "most heavyweights." This version of Evander was still fast, had great stamina, real inside fighting skills and, importantly, mental toughness that Wlad often struggled against when guys didn't mentally break. He was still light enough to move and box, but physically strong enough to stay inside when he had to.

I think Holyfield’s ability to punch in combinations, close distance quickly and work inside without getting tangled up would start to take its toll after the early rounds. Wlad would get his moments early with the jab and controlling space, but the second Evander times that step in and gets Wlad clinching and reacting instead of leading, the whole fight dynamic changes.

One of Wlad’s biggest weaknesses was always when the fight got messy, he didn’t like guys who could fight at a faster pace inside or create chaos he couldn’t freeze with the jab and grab. And Holyfield, especially early 90s version, was a master of turning momentum in messy fights.

In a best-of-three, I’d say:

• First fight: could be very close, with Wlad maybe edging early rounds but Holyfield dragging him into deep waters and stealing it late (maybe something like 115–113).
• Second fight: Holyfield more aggressive from the start, presses the action, wins a tougher but slightly clearer decision.
• Third fight: If it got that far, maybe Wlad makes better adjustments, fights an even more cautious fight and maybe snatches one on the cards, but honestly, if Holyfield smells blood, he won't let Wlad survive easily.

Overall:

• I’d take Holyfield 2-1.
• Wlad could definitely steal a decision if everything goes right for him stylistically, but over three fights, Holyfield’s aggression, stamina and ring IQ would eventually break him down at least twice.

Not easy fights either way, but Holyfield’s adaptability and toughness under fire would tilt it.