Evander Holyfield: American Hero. Yes or no?

Great fighter & warrior, absolutely. A hero not exactly.

 

Depends on what we define as a hero. Muhammad Ali was an advocate and spokesman for the African American community while Joe Louis was both a war veteran and generous to charitable organizations.. Both were heroes in my eyes. Holyfield was a warrior in the ring who showed great heart and courage, but lots of fighters have shown the same. Not sure if there's anything else there to define him as a " great American hero".

 

Holyfield's legacy is letdown by his money wasting and troubles with creditors, PED allegations, troubled relationships and numerous illegitimate children and his gambling addiction.

Great warrior in the ring? Yes. Great American hero and idol? No.

 

Not sure about a hero, but he was one of the biggest warriors ever in the history of this sport.

 

Agreed.

 

:deal

 

This basically sums it up perfectly. Great warrior in the ring no doubt but his legacy has really suffered since his championship reign.

 

Yes. Triumph of the underdog.

 

I mean you could argue cases for and against this, but people are being very narrow minded here simply saying yes or no.

Like slash mentioned, the element of the underdog, which is a huge factor considering he has constantly defied the odds despite being well past his best multiple tinever you could also argue that never say die attitude is embraced by what Holyfield's done throughout his career. The dudes a freakin 4 time heavyweight champion of the world and the only one at that. Also, despite being 50 Years old, he still wants to fight the best heavyweights in the world and lift the title one again.

On the other hand you have his gambling problems and his financial troubles which obviously shows evander in a bad light, not to mention the Evan Fields situation as well. People have mentioned how he has tarnished his legacy, which too an extent is true, however, it certainly adds to the never say die persona and had he have been given the nod against Valuev, people would be saying the exact opposite. I mean imagine if Foreman never landed that right to Moorer's chin. His comeback up to that point wouldn't nessesarily have been worth it.

I think the most obvious and simple answer would be a strait up no, however if you asses how others may view him rather than your own personal bias getting in the way of your decision I think we would all come to the conclusion that:
Yes Inside the ring, Evander Holyfield was an American hero. However, outside of the ring? He was far from it.

 

Hero? No. If anything a very bad example on how to live. A hypocritical womanizer, gambler, blower of huge fortunes, and irresponsible father. Not even remotely a hero.

 

You can be an inspiration without being a hero. Is that the crux at what you're getting at Chris?

 

Holyfield didn't enlist in the military or fight in any wars for the United States. He was a great fighter and athlete, but I'm not sure if that qualifies him for hero status.